REM, not incubation, improves creativity by priming associative networks.

Full Abstract

The hypothesized role of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is rich in dreams, in the formation of new associations, has remained anecdotal. We examined the role of REM on creative problem solving, with the Remote Associates Test (RAT). Using a nap paradigm, we manipulated various conditions of prior exposure to elements of a creative problem. Compared with quiet rest and non-REM sleep, REM enhanced the formation of associative networks and the integration of unassociated information. Furthermore, these REM sleep benefits were not the result of an improved memory for the primed items. This study shows that compared with quiet rest and non-REM sleep, REM enhances the integration of unassociated information for creative problem solving, a process, we hypothesize, that is facilitated by cholinergic and noradrenergic neuromodulation during REM sleep.

Author information

Author/s: Cai, Denise J (DJ); Mednick, Sarnoff A (SA); Harrison, Elizabeth M (EM); Kanady, Jennifer C (JC); Mednick, Sara C (SC);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

Grants: K01 MH080992-01 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; K01 MH080992-02 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 106 (issue 25) : pp 10130-4

Dates: Created 2009/06/25; Completed 2009/07/17;

PMID: 19506253, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 7/25/2009, IMS Date: )

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