Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

1.3K

Sleep alterations in pediatric bipolar disorder versus attention deficit disorder

Xavier Estrada-Prat1, Ion Álvarez-Guerrico2, Santiago Batlle-Vila3

  • 1Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Department of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu of Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.

Psychiatry Research
|March 18, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric patients with bipolar disorder (BD) show distinct sleep pattern differences compared to those with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls (HC). Key sleep variables like N2 stage duration and REM density help differentiate these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Psychiatry
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) share overlapping symptoms, complicating differential diagnosis in youth.
  • Adult studies indicate differing sleep patterns between BD and ADHD, but pediatric data are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare sleep alterations in pediatric patients with BD and ADHD versus healthy controls (HC).
  • To identify specific polysomnographic variables that may differentiate between pediatric BD, ADHD, and HC.

Main Methods:

  • A preliminary study involving 26 pediatric patients (13 with BD, 13 with ADHD) and 26 age- and sex-matched HC.
  • All participants underwent comprehensive polysomnography (PSG) to record sleep architecture and parameters.

Main Results:

  • The BD group exhibited a shorter mean duration of N2 sleep compared to their matched HC.
  • REM density (REMd) was non-significantly higher in the BD group and lower in the ADHD group versus controls.
  • The BD group showed a shorter N2 stage, longer first REM sleep duration (R1), and greater REMd compared to the ADHD group.

Conclusions:

  • N2 stage duration, REM density (REMd), and the first REM sleep duration (R1) appear to be significant variables.
  • These sleep parameters may help differentiate pediatric patients with BD from those with ADHD and from healthy controls.

Keywords:
AdolescentAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderBipolar disorderChildN2 stagePolysomnographyREM

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

6.3K
A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

882

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....
885
Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
700
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,...
423
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
1.6K
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins02:18

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Intrinsically disordered proteins are a group of proteins that do not fold into specific three-dimensional structures. Their structural flexibility allows them to complement ordered proteins to perform functions that are inaccessible to rigid structures. They are more common in eukaryotes than prokaryotes and may either be exclusively intrinsically disordered or hybrid proteins, consisting of a mix of ordered and disordered regions. The absence of a rigid structure in these proteins can be...
19.4K
Other Disorders of Digestive System01:30

Other Disorders of Digestive System

The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to various disorders. If the lower esophageal sphincter is damaged, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the lining. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as heartburn) and may cause chest pain and difficulty swallowing. In the stomach, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, chronic alcohol consumption, bacterial infections such as Helicobacter...
1.5K