Ontogenetic Development of the Human Sleep-Dream Cycle

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Abstract
Normal newborns spend one-third of their day and one-half of their sleep in the [rapid eye movement] REM state. This high ratio diminishes progressively with maturation. The REM mechanism serves as an endogenous source of stimulation, furnishing great quantities of functional exitation to higher centers. Such stimulation would be particularly crucial during the periods in utero and shortly after birth, before appreciable exogenous stimulation is available to the central nervous system. It might assist in structural maturation and differentiation of key sensory and motor areas within the central nervous system, partially preparing them to handle the rush of stimulation provided by the postnatal milieu, as well as contributing to their further growth after birth. The sharp diminution of REM sleep with development may signify that the mature brain has less need for endogenous stimulation.