Is a purpose of REM sleep atonia to help regenerate intervertebral disc volumetric loss?

doi:10.1186/1740-3391-7-1

Journal of Circadian Rhythms

Volume 7

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Is a purpose of REM sleep atonia to help regenerate intervertebral disc volumetric loss?

Jerome CJ Fryer

Private Practice, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9S 3Y3, Canada

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Circadian Rhythms 2009, 7:1doi:10.1186/1740-3391-7-1


Published:	5 January 2009

Abstract

The nature of atonia in sleep continues to be enigmatic. This article discusses a new hypothesis for complete core muscle relaxation in REM sleep, suggesting a bottom-up recuperative perspective. That is, does the atonia in REM sleep provide a utility to help restore the mechanobiology and respective diurnal intervertebral disc hydraulic loss? By combining the effects of gravity with current compressive concepts in spinal stability, this article looks at vertebral approximation as a deleterious experience with an intrinsic biological need to keep vertebrae separated. Methods using polysomnography and recumbent MRI are discussed.