Following Your Dreams REM sleep behavior disorder and resulting cognitive decline Sleep plays an important role in cognitive functioning, notably in learning and memory. Parasomnias, such as REM Sleep Behavioral disorder (RBD), have been associated with sleep issues, such as attaining as well as sustaining sleep. As a result of this deficit, many individuals afflicted with this disorder struggle in remembering as well as learning. In many cases its idiopathic form (iRBD) may be an early indicator of later, more severe neurodegenerative disease. Knowing that those afflicted with iRBD may also be at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, the prolonged time frame between diagnosis of iRBD and the subsequent onset of diseases, such as Parkinson’s, provides an excellent opportunity for potential treatment (Postuma, Gagnon & Montplaisir, 2011; Fantini et al. 2011). As research on this topic continues to develop, more recent data has indicated a significant improvement and normalization of symptoms of RBD with the use of exogenous, or synthetic, melatonin, which is the hormone found in mammals that is most associated with sleep. Sleep quality and quantity was also positively affected, thus patients often retained cognitive capacity that otherwise may have deteriorated (Kunz & Mahlberg, 2010). REM sleep behavior disorder is characterized by the loss of muscle atonia that is present during a normal REM cycle. The demographic most commonly diagnosed with the disorder is generally males over fifty, although it does not exclude females and symptoms can also be triggered by anti-depressents, which could include younger individuals (Postuma, Gagnon & Montplaisir, 2011). REM atonia normally disables motor or muscle activity during the rapid eye movement stage of the sleep cycle, which is the stage associated with dreaming. Atonia is generally attributed as one of many functions associated or regulated by the lower brainstem (Kunz & Mahlberg, 2010). Lack of atonia, therefore, could be due to malfunction or physical damage to this area. Without inhibition, the muscles may be active and the sleeping individual is able to move, even act out their dreams (Fantini et al. 2011). This ability may not only lead to physical harm to the dreamer, who may injure themselves or others while moving around, but also presents possible psychological harm as well, since the REM cycle and rest overall is disturbed. (Kunz & Mahlberg, 2010). While so much about the roles and purposes of sleep are unclear, many studies have provided evidence that sleep plays an important role in memory consolidation. Sleep-dependent memory processing has been investigated via the use of many behavioral paradigms in humans and other species alike. Although not completely agreed upon, as any research rarely goes without debate, there is a substantial amount of data that has indicated a rel ...