[Sleep and vigilance in hyperactive children]

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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice
07:47

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice

Published on: December 29, 2016

Michel Lecendreux1, Eric Konofal

  • 1Service de psychopathologie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent Hôpital Robert-Debré 75019 Paris.

La Revue Du Praticien
|February 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience sleep disturbances, including agitated sleep and difficulty initiating sleep. These nocturnal issues may contribute to daytime symptoms and hypovigilance in ADHD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Context:

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
  • Emerging research highlights a significant link between sleep disturbances and diurnal symptoms in children with ADHD.
  • Sleep problems are frequently observed in children with severe ADHD, impacting their daily functioning.

Purpose:

  • To explore the relationship between sleep disorders and ADHD.
  • To investigate the prevalence and physiopathology of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD.
  • To understand the mechanisms governing sleep-wake balance in ADHD.

Summary:

  • Children with ADHD exhibit sleep issues like agitated sleep, sleep-onset difficulties, and low arousal thresholds.
  • Polysomnography studies reveal sleep abnormalities, such as increased nocturnal motility, potentially causing hypovigilance.
  • Further research is needed to clarify sleep disorder mechanisms, including arousal thresholds and micro-arousals, in ADHD.

Impact:

  • Understanding sleep-wake balance mechanisms is crucial for comprehending ADHD.
  • Excessive nocturnal motility may indicate monoaminergic dysfunctioning in ADHD, suggesting novel therapeutic targets.
  • Investigating sleep disturbances could lead to new therapeutic strategies for improving daytime functioning and reducing hypovigilance in ADHD.

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