REM sleep

n. A period of sleep during which dreaming takes place, characterized by rapid periodic twitching movements of the eye muscles and other physiological changes, such as accelerated respiration and heart rate, increased brain activity, and muscle relaxation. REM sleep is the fifth and last stage of sleep that occurs in the sleep cycle, preceded by four stages of non-REM sleep. Also called paradoxical sleep.

[r(apid) e(ye) m(ovement).]

REM′ sleep`

n. rapid eye movement sleep: a recurrent sleep pattern during which dreaming occurs while the eyes rapidly shift under closed lids. Compare slow-wave sleep. [1965–70]

Thesaurus

Noun

REM sleep - a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleepparadoxical sleep, rapid eye movement, rapid eye movement sleep, REMsleep, slumber - a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended; "he didn't get enough sleep last night"; "calm as a child in dreamless slumber"

REM Sleep

REM sleep

[′rem ‚slēp] (psychology) rapid-eye-movement sleep

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

(dreams)

In 1953 sleep researchers Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman reported observing rapid saccadic (tracking) eye movements in sleeping subjects. These were similar in appearance to the eye movements of waking individuals. Further research found that REM sleep was often associated with reports of dreaming.

The postulate that there was a close correlation between dreams and REM sleep guided scientific dream research for a decade. Later studies, however, showed that significant dreaming could take place during non-REM (NREM) sleep. Subsequent research has shown that—although the older correlation of REM sleep with dreaming does not hold—it is possible to draw a meaningful distinction: namely, that REM dreams tend to be more active, visually rich, and bizarre than NREM dreams.

REM sleep

rap·id eye move·ment sleep

, REM sleepthat state of deep sleep in which rapid eye movements, alert EEG pattern, and dreaming occur; several central and autonomic functions are distinctive during this state.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, desynchronized sleep, paradoxical sleep Neurology A 5 to 20 min segment of a normal sleep cycle, characterized by irregular heart rate and respiration, BP, EEG similar to awake and alert state, involuntary or jerky muscle movement, and higher threshold for arousal; the usual high-amplitude slow brain waves seen by EEG are replaced by rapid eye movement and rapid, low-voltage irregular EEG activity. See Insomnia, Sleep disorders.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep. This occurs during about 20% of the sleeping time and features constant movement of the eyeballs, twitching of the muscles and erection of the penis in men. REM sleep is deep and is associated with dreaming. It is necessary for health.

REM sleep

Rapid Eye Movement phase of sleep, a mentally active period during which dreaming occurs.Mentioned in: Night Terrors

REM sleep

REM sleep

REM′ sleep`

REM Sleep

REM sleep

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

REM sleep

rap·id eye move·ment sleep

REM sleep

REM sleep

REM sleep

REM sleep

REM sleep

Synonyms for REM sleep

noun a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs

Synonyms

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