Sex Differences and the Interaction of Age and Sleep Issues in Neuropsychological Testing Performance across the Lifespan in an Add/Adhd Sample from the Years 1989 to 2009

Abstract

Chart review of population (9 to 80 years) neuropsychological test battery for ADHD diagnosis, questionnaires with multiple responders were evaluated in outpatient setting from 1989-2009. The focus was gender differences across age, diagnostic group (ADHD-Inattentive/ADHD plus), neuropsychological test performance, and reported sleep symptoms over the lifespan. Individuals were assigned to ADHD-I group or ADHD plus group (based upon secondary diagnosis of sleep, behavioral, emotional disturbance); ADHD not primary was excluded (brain insult, psychosis). Among these were 1,828 children (ages 9 to 14), adolescents (ages 15 to 17), and adults (ages 18 and above); 446 children (312 diagnosed ADHD-I), 218 adolescents (163 diagnosed ADHD-I), and 1,163 adults (877 ADHD-I). Sleep was problematic regardless of age, ADHD subtype, and gender. The type and number of sleep problems and fatigue were age dependent. ADHD subtype, gender, fatigue, age, and sleep (sleep onset, unrefreshing sleep, sleep maintenance) were significant variables affecting neuropsychological test performance (sequencing, cognitive flexibility, slow- and fast-paced input, divided attention, whole brain functioning). Findings suggest that ADHD involves numerous factors and symptoms beyond attention, such as sleep which interacts differently dependent upon age.

Sleep disturbances in adolescents with ADHD: A systematic review and framework for future research

“…In addition, in the Brook and Boaz (2005) investigation, a single item assessed the need for additional hours of sleep and daytime fatigue. Failure to assess for a wide range of potential sleep difficulties (e.g., nocturnal awakenings, initial insomnia) may explain the relatively lower prevalence of sleep problems reported in their sample compared to that of Fisher and colleagues (2014).…”

“…Thirty-seven percent of their sample described daytime fatigue and the need for more sleep. More recently, Fisher and colleagues (2014) employed chart review methodology to examine sleep problems in ADHD across the lifespan. They found that sleep problems were prevalent among ADHD adolescents (74% of their sample), with the most commonly endorsed difficulties including initial insomnia, nocturnal awakenings, and non-restorative or restless sleep (shortened duration and hypersomnia were less frequently endorsed).…”

“…Using chart review (described above), Fisher and colleagues (2014) found associations between self-reported sleep disturbances and deficits in sequencing, cognitive flexibility, slow- and fast-paced input, divided attention, and whole brain functioning; however, they collapsed across adolescent and adult subgroups of their sample for this analysis. In their PSG study, Prehn-Kristensen et al (2011) assessed declarative memory consolidation in non-medicated (48 hour washout) ADHD versus HC across sleep (learning performed in the evening, memory tested after sleep) and wake (learning conducted in the morning, memory tested after a day of wakefulness) conditions.…”

Co-administration effects of α-lipoic acid and nucleo CMP on arousal and sensory cortical activity

“…Since, CFFF test is a reliable and simple test for evaluation of central arousal state that used in the present study to investigate different drugs that mainly acts peripherally or as antioxidant on cognitive arousal function. A Numerous studies 14 showed the variability in CFFF estimation that regarded with the present study theses variability includes gender, age, race and health factors . Critical flicker frequency measures cognitive function and regarded as indicator for sedative drugs index, while critical fusion frequency measure occipital cortex capacity, therefore, there are different cortical neuronal pathways to flickers and fusion frequency.…”

Comparison of Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Depending on the Age of Being Diagnosed in Childhood and Adulthood: Based on Retrospective Review in One University Hospital

“…Fisher et al 24) classified the subtype according to age in outpatients aged 9-80 who were diagnosed with ADHD between 1989 and 2009, and found that inattention was the most common symptom in all groups, including ages 9-14, 15-17, and over 18. In terms of ADHD subtype classification in adults, combined type was the most common subtype followed by the inattentive subtype.…”