An Explanation for Dreaming Based on Neuronal Maintenance

Abstract

Nighttime dreams are an interesting phenomenon. Investigations have moved from attempts to interpret their content to seeking a biological function. In both cases, it has proven difficult to obtain convincing answers. I shall argue that dreams are the consequence of a requirement for sustained activity in nervous systems. That is, regular firing of signals is necessary for neuronal development and maintenance. Dreams result from this principle being applied to circuits involved in generating conscious experiences. The brain is prone to create a form of sense out of neurological activity; I hypothesize that this mechanism contributes to the story-like quality of dreams. The lack of cognitive (or top-down) control explains their bizarreness. The activity would be expected to be partly arbitrary and partly converge on prominent circuits such as those commonly or recently used. Circuits are strengthened by activation; dreams can therefore contribute to memory consolidation and learning.