Advances in Understanding the Relationship between Sleep and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

Starting from the consolidated relationship between sleep and cognition, we reviewed the available literature on the association between Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sleep. This review analyzes the macrostructural and microstructural sleep features, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria (PRISMA). We included the polysomnographic studies published in the last 15 years. The results of macrostructural parameters are mixed. Almost half of the 18 selected investigations did not find differences between sleep architecture of children with ADHD and controls. Five studies observed that children with ADHD show a longer Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep duration than controls. Eight studies included microstructural measures. Remarkable alterations in sleep microstructure of ADHD are related to slow wave activity (SWA) and theta oscillations, respectively, during Non-REM (NREM) and REM sleep. Specifically, some studies found higher SWA in the ADHD group than controls. Similarly, higher theta activity appears to be detrimental for memory performance and inhibitory control in ADHD. These patterns could be interpreted as a maturational delay in ADHD. Also, the increased amount of these activities would be consistent with the hypothesis that the poor sleep could imply a chronic sleep deprivation in children with ADHD, which in turn could affect their cognitive functioning.

Insomnia Disorder in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Patients: Clinical, Comorbidity, and Treatment Correlates

“…Considering the different presentations of ADHD, some investigations did not report differences (17), whereas others report poorer quality of sleep in inattentive presentation than in the combined presentation (13). However, other studies indicate that sleep problems are more frequently associated with combined or hyperactive/impulsive presentation (11,18). Besides, ADHD severity may be associated with worse insomnia presentation (19).…”

The Relationship between Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and anxiety, Depression, Stress and Sleep in Professional Drivers in southern Iran

“…Another observation to emerge from the data is the signi cant association between ADHD and poor sleep quality among drivers, matching previous ndings in the literature. [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] As proposed by Scarpelli et al, ADHD has an association with macrostructural and microstructural sleep features, which affects the quality of sleep. [45] The interlinked association of poor sleep quality, ADHD, and mind wandering has been investigated in recent studies, which could justify our ndings.…”

“…[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] As proposed by Scarpelli et al, ADHD has an association with macrostructural and microstructural sleep features, which affects the quality of sleep. [45] The interlinked association of poor sleep quality, ADHD, and mind wandering has been investigated in recent studies, which could justify our ndings. [48] Not only the overall score of PSQI is in association with ADHD but also some of its sub-scales have shown a signi cant relationship with ADHD; for instance, the correlation between sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness and ADHD has been highlighted by other ndings too.…”

<p>In Quest of Pathognomonic/Endophenotypic Markers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Potential of EEG-Based Frequency Analysis and ERPs to Better Detect, Prevent and Manage ADHD</p>

“…However, TBR has been very used successfully both as a tool to determine treatment efficacy and as a neurofeedback, NFB tool. 187,191,208,209 The effects of an acute dose (0.7 mg/kg) of methylphenidate (MPH), known to improve home, school and cognitive task performance were evaluated via quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) study following a oneweek washout period. 214 The chief reason for use of QEEG was that it enabled both temporal and spatial study of attention using the continuous performance test (CPT) and test of variables of attention (T.O.V.…”