Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Random neural activity refers to the spontaneous firing of neurons in the brain during sleep that lacks any specific pattern or purpose.
Related terms
Sleep Spindles: Brief bursts of brain activity that occur during stage 2 of non-REM sleep and are believed to play a role in memory consolidation.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep: A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, and muscle paralysis.
Activation-Synthesis Theory: The theory that dreams result from random neural activity during REM sleep and the brain's attempt to make sense of it by creating narratives.