A neurocomputational theory of nightmares: the role of formal properties of nightmare images.

ABSTRACT:

Study objectives

To test and extend Levin & Nielsen's (2007) Affective Network Dysfunction (AND) model with nightmare disorder (ND) image characteristics, and then to implement the extension as a computational simulation, the Disturbed Dreaming Model (DDM).

Methods

We used AnyLogic V7.2 to computationally implement an extended AND model incorporating quantitative effects of image characteristics including valence, dominance, and arousal. We explored the DDM parameter space by varying parameters, running approximately one million runs, each for one month of model time, varying pathway bifurcation thresholds, image characteristics, and individual-difference variables to quantitively evaluate their combinatory effects on nightmare symptomology.

Results

The DDM shows that

SUBMITTER: McNamara P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10104396 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature