The name is absent

Figure 2

The restoration of depleted cerebral ATP reserves during REM sleep

Cerebral glycogen

IZ

Cerebral glucose

Cerebral ATP

Blood glucose levels are elevated prior to the onset of sleep and remain elevated throughout the
sleep cycle. Cerebral glycogen levels are elevated during NREM sleep. Glycogen is metabolized
to glucose during tonic REM sleep. Extra blood glucose is transported to brain during phasic
REM sleep. Glucose is metabolized to generate ATP. The hippocampus requires ATP to function
properly, and it becomes especially active during REM sleep.

levels in the hippocampus. The eyes move back and forth frantically (Aserinsky &
Kleitman, 1953), perhaps as a result of the sudden energy surge. Then, the pupils become
constricted and the heart rate slows again. It is probably fortunate that a person is
unconscious and effectively immobilized during the energy surge of phasic REM sleep.
People who are awakened from phasic REM sleep report quite bizarre mentation
(Kushniruk, Rustenburg, & Ogilvie, 1985).

5. Conclusion

The details of the theory of REM sleep proposed here will undoubtedly require
much clarification, and its potentially staggering implications for our understanding of

preliminary draft (9/24/2006)

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