Mark Solms, in his book “The Neuropsychology of Dreams,”
discusses the syndromes of cessation of dreaming, particularly focusing on Charcot-Wilbrand Syndrome (CWS).
He differentiates between the frontal versus posterior brain lesions, with a detailed analysis of CWS. This neurological condition often results from damage to brain areas like the occipital cortex and medial temporal lobe, is typically associated with posterior artery strokes.
CWS is characterized primarily by the loss of dreaming. Patients with CWS usually report a complete or near-total absence of dreams.
While they may experience fleeting dream fragments, the rich and complex narratives typical of dreams are generally missing. Additionally, CWS often coexists with visual agnosia, a condition where patients find it hard to recognize objects or faces. Some patients also report difficulties with mental imagery, such as the inability to visualize scenes or faces in their mind’s eye. 💎
