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Sleep and wakefulness in preadolescent children with deficits in attention, motor control and perception
Insights
Children with deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP) showed normal sleep but longer reaction times. Some exhibited short sleep latencies, suggesting potential daytime hypersomnolence despite normal sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Deficits in Attention, Motor Control, and Perception (DAMP) is a condition affecting children.
- Understanding the relationship between sleep and cognitive function in DAMP is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between daytime vigilance and nighttime sleep quality in children with DAMP.
- To compare sleep patterns and reaction times in DAMP children versus controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polygraphic sleep recordings and Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT).
- Measured reaction times in both DAMP patients and a control group of normal children.
- Included 10 children (2 girls, 8 boys, ages 6-12) with DAMP and 18 controls.
Main Results:
- Children with DAMP tolerated sleep recordings less well than controls.
- No widespread increased daytime sleepiness was observed, but MSLT revealed short sleep latencies in some DAMP patients.
- Significantly longer reaction times were recorded in children with DAMP compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Despite generally normal sleep regulation, DAMP children exhibit prolonged reaction times.
- Short sleep latencies during MSLT in some DAMP patients may indicate underlying hypersomnolence.
- Findings suggest potential functional alterations in the forebrain contributing to DAMP symptoms and sleep disturbances.
Abstract:
In 10 children with deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP), the relation between daytime vigilance and night-time sleep quality was examined with polygraphic sleep recordings, multiple sleep latency tests and measurements of reaction times. Two girls and eight boys, 6-12 years of age were studied. Eighteen normal children served as controls. Normal sleep regulation and sleep quality was found, but the children with DAMP tolerated the recording procedure less well than the controls. Most patients did not suffer from increased daytime sleepiness, but at MSLT 3, patients had short sleep latencies as in daytime hypersomnolence. Reaction times were significantly longer among the patients than among the controls. It is proposed that the findings may be related to functional changes in the forebrain.