대한수면의학회

After rapid eye movement(REM) sleep was idenified in 1953, a lively interest developed concerning a possible role of this kind of sleep in memory processes. The author reviewed studies relating REM to memory/learning. Many studies in animals and humans gave substantial evidence for relating REM sleep to memory function. The evidence supporting the position taken in this paper comes from experiments showing that : (1) learning session is followed by the significant augmentation of REM sleep : (2) REM sleep deprivation, prior to learning or immediately thereafter, impairs the formation of a permanent memory/learning : (3) there is a vulnerable period of time(eg, REM sleep 'window') following succussful learning, during which REM sleep deprivation results in memory impairment : (4) theta rhythm which develops during REM sleep induces long-term potentiation in hippocampus : (5) there are some evidences providing the relationship of neurotransmitter systems to the maintenance of REM sleep and memory storage processes.

REM sleep;Memory/Learning;