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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Sleep and daytime sleepiness in methylphenidate medicated and un-medicated children with

K Cockcroft1, J Ashwal, A Bentley

  • 1Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development (Psychology), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. kate.cockcroft@wits.ac.za

African Journal of Psychiatry
|December 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with ADHD taking methylphenidate experienced increased sleepiness post-medication. This suggests methylphenidate may reduce daytime sleepiness, impacting learning in children with ADHD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness can mimic Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
  • Methylphenidate is a common ADHD treatment also used for excessive daytime sleepiness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare daytime sleepiness in medicated and un-medicated children with ADHD.
  • To investigate the prevalence of sleep disorders in these groups.

Main Methods:

  • Two matched groups of children diagnosed with ADHD were studied (n=12 medicated, n=11 un-medicated).
  • Participants and parents rated daytime sleepiness levels throughout the day.
  • Sleep disorders were assessed via parental reports.

Main Results:

  • Parents reported significantly higher daytime sleepiness in un-medicated children (13:00-15:00).
  • Medicated children showed increasing sleepiness after initial doses.
  • No significant difference in sleep disorder prevalence between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Methylphenidate may reduce daytime sleepiness in children with ADHD.
  • Increased sleepiness post-medication could impact learning.
  • Further research into methylphenidate's mechanism is warranted.
Abstract

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