SCIENCE
Automatic detection of the REM sleep phase during electrooculography
Sleep is not just a rest; it is a necessary part of the functioning of the cognitive system of people. Studying the role of sleep for effective functioning of the immune system, temperature regulation, memory, emotional regulation, learning and many other physiological and psychological processes is gaining more and more relevance. It attracts the attention of many leading researchers from around the world. The study of sleep by electrooculography (using three electrodes – two on the temples and one on the forehead) to track eye movements has a significant advantage over the more commonly used EEG methods due to its lower cost and the ability to quickly and efficiently collect large databases. A software-implemented algorithm for automatic recognition of the REM sleep phase during sleep is presented. This algorithm is a step of a larger project to create a system for external control of the content of dreams during REM sleep by providing scents and sounds, pre-associated with various stimuli and symbols. This system will allow in the future applying an automatic external influence on the sleeper during the REM phase. The development will have applications at research on the induction of selected elements during dreaming. This can help to people with post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias, as well for a more effective learning.