Scientists Think They Know Why Some People Sleep Through Anything
Summary
Scientists found that during REM sleep, the brain shifts focus from outside sounds to internal signals like heartbeats. This change helps explain why some people sleep through loud noises but still maintain awareness of their own body's functions.Key Facts
- Researchers studied brain activity from 25 healthy adults using EEG.
- Participants heard sounds while awake and asleep to compare brain responses.
- Brain reactions to external sounds got weaker during REM sleep, especially in the "phasic" REM stage.
- Brain responses to heartbeats stayed strong or even increased during REM sleep.
- The brain shifts from processing outside information (exteroception) to inside signals (interoception) during REM sleep.
- The study introduced an "audio-cardio index" to measure this shift in brain focus.
- The brain still processes some external sounds during sleep but prioritizes internal body signals.
- Results may help assess consciousness in people who cannot respond, like under anesthesia or with brain disorders.
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