Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Modafinil in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in children

Anna Ivanenko1, Riva Tauman, David Gozal

  • 1Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.

Sleep Medicine
|November 11, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Modafinil effectively reduces excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) in children with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. This study indicates modafinil is generally safe and well-tolerated for pediatric use in managing sleep disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Modafinil is an FDA-approved alerting agent for adult narcolepsy.
  • Limited research exists on the long-term safety and efficacy of modafinil in children with excessive daytime somnolence (EDS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of modafinil on clinical symptoms of narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the safety and tolerability profile of modafinil in children over a prolonged treatment period.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic chart review was performed on 13 children (mean age 11.0 years) diagnosed with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia.
  • Children received modafinil treatment for an average of 15.6 months, with dosage adjustments as needed.
  • Clinical outcomes were assessed using sleep-wake diaries, and objective measures included nocturnal polysomnography and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT).

Main Results:

  • Approximately 90% of children showed clinical improvement, with reduced sudden sleep attacks.
  • Modafinil significantly prolonged mean sleep latency on MSLT (p=0.02), indicating improved alertness.
  • While generally well-tolerated, two children experienced exacerbations of seizures or psychotic symptoms; hematological and hepatic functions remained stable.

Conclusions:

  • Modafinil demonstrates a modest but significant positive effect on excessive daytime somnolence in children.
  • The medication appears to be safe and well-tolerated for long-term use in pediatric patients with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

High-Throughput Small Molecule Drug Screening For Age-Related Sleep Disorders Using Drosophila melanogaster05:59

High-Throughput Small Molecule Drug Screening For Age-Related Sleep Disorders Using Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: October 20, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...