Neuroanatomical Correlates of Dreaming, III: The Frontal-Lobe Controversy (Dream Censorship)

Abstract

This paper aims to resolve the contradictory findings between PET and human lesion methods with regard to the role of the frontal convexity in the functional architecture of dreaming, and to consider the neuroscientific justification for its presumed psychoanalytic counterpart–the dream censor–an ultimate parameter that is believed to be behind the scene in charge of the entire manifestation of dreaming in the Freudian model. In contrast to prevailing beliefs, the author asserts that the latest neurophysiological findings are not necessarily incompatible with the classical psychoanalytic notion of dream censorship, provided that misunderstanding and confusion surrounding the psychoanalytic concepts and localization matters are cleared. The paper concludes with a proposed neurodynamic model of dreaming (the neuro-structural model) on the basis of the reconcilement between classical Freudian dream theory and the contemporary neurophysiological findings enumerated in this series of papers.