Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Dyssomnia in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a critical review

Gabrielle L Bullock1, Ulrich Schall

  • 1Centre for Mental Health Studies and Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|April 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit altered sleep patterns, specifically increased REM sleep latency and reduced REM sleep. Further research is needed to understand the causes and effects of stimulant medication on sleep in ADHD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Previous studies (pre-1999) suggested sleep disturbances in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but were inconclusive.
  • A need existed for a review of more recent, consistent findings on ADHD and sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize findings on sleep disturbances in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from studies published after 1999.
  • To investigate objective measures of sleep characteristics and their relationship with ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted an online literature search of the National Library of Medicine and Cochrane Library.
  • Utilized search terms: 'attention deficit hyperactivity disorder', 'sleep', 'human', and 'English language'.
  • Focused on 16 articles meeting criteria, with 10 employing objective sleep measures (polysomnography, actigraphy, video recording).

Main Results:

  • Confirmed increased Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep latency in children with ADHD.
  • Observed a proportional decrease in REM sleep among children with ADHD.
  • Found stimulant treatment had minimal impact on objective sleep quality; parental reports of poor sleep often contradicted objective findings.

Conclusions:

  • Established a link between disrupted sleep architecture and ADHD.
  • Debated whether the cause is intrinsic (physiological differences) or extrinsic (behavioral factors).
  • Highlighted the need for further research into the effects of stimulant medication on sleep due to limited current evidence.
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

Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol13:09

Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol

Published on: April 1, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
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...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
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.
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...
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...