Inspiration from dreams in neuroscience research

Abstract

Dreams have been cited as the source of creative ideas in many areas in both the arts and sciences. Two key examples from neuroscience research in the twentieth century were described by Otto Loewi (1873-1961) and John Eccles (1903-1997). Their dreams were pivotal in scientific discoveries which established chemical synaptic transmission. Recent work has led to some progress in understanding the biologic purpose of sleep and dreaming.