Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

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

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adaptation night as determinants of sleep patterns in children

Roumen Kirov1, Henrik Uebel, Bjoern Albrecht

  • 1Department of Cognitive Psychophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria. roumen_kirov@yahoo.com

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|July 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show altered sleep architecture, particularly in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, independent of the first-night effect. These REM sleep changes correlate with ADHD symptoms when the adaptation night is considered.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Previous studies show inconsistent findings regarding sleep structure alterations in pediatric ADHD.
  • The first-night effect (FNE) in polysomnography may confound results in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sleep architecture in children with ADHD, specifically addressing the potential confounding role of the FNE.
  • To examine the relationship between sleep structure, ADHD psychopathology, and adaptation to the sleep laboratory environment.

Main Methods:

  • Polysomnography was conducted over two consecutive nights (adaptation and second night) in 20 unmedicated children with ADHD and 19 healthy controls.
  • Sleep data were analyzed for differences in sleep stages, sleep latency, and REM sleep parameters between groups.
  • The FNE was assessed, and its influence on sleep architecture in relation to ADHD symptoms was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Both ADHD and control groups exhibited a typical FNE without significant group differences.
  • Children with ADHD demonstrated increased total sleep time, shortened REM sleep latency, and a greater amount of REM sleep compared to controls, irrespective of the testing night.
  • The heightened REM sleep in ADHD children was more pronounced on the second night and correlated significantly with inattention and hyperactivity scores.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep adaptation processes are similar in children with ADHD and typically developing children.
  • REM sleep alterations in ADHD are linked to ADHD psychopathology and become evident when the FNE is controlled for.
  • Clinical awareness of specific sleep alterations in children with ADHD is crucial for improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

More Related Videos

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients05:48

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

Published on: June 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.
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...
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,...
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.
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...