Selective REM deprivation and REM rebound
A participant is woken every time REM sleep begins for three nights but otherwise sleeps normally. On the fourth night, sleeping without interruption, he will most likely show:
Answer A: explanation for every choice
A
Correct. After selective REM deprivation, the brain makes up for it with more REM and a shorter delay before the first REM period.
B
N3 rebound has priority after total sleep deprivation. Here only REM was lost.
C
The brain compensates for lost REM, so sleep architecture is altered.
D
Sleep spindles are an N2 feature and do not replace REM.
TakeawayLosing REM selectively → REM rebound. Losing total sleep → N3 recovered first.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps162.