Behavioral and Electrophysiological Markers of Attention Fluctuations in Children with Hypersomnolence
Marine Thieux1,2, Julien Lioret1,2, Romain Bouet1
1Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69500 Lyon, France.
Insights
Children with hypersomnolence (HYP) exhibit attention deficits similar to those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Bron-Lyon Attention Stability Test (BLAST) combined with EEG shows promise for assessing attention fluctuations in HYP.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Hypersomnolence (HYP) significantly impacts attention, yet objective assessment tools are lacking.
- Understanding attentional deficits in HYP is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Existing methods do not fully capture the attentional repercussions of HYP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare attentional performance in children with HYP, ADHD, and controls.
- To utilize behavioral and electrophysiological (EEG) markers for assessment.
- To correlate attentional measures with conventional sleepiness scales.
Main Methods:
- Children with HYP underwent MSLT and completed the AESS.
- EEG and the Bron-Lyon Attention Stability Test (BLAST) were administered to children with HYP and ADHD.
- Multivariate models analyzed reaction time, errors, BLAST-Intensity, BLAST-Stability, theta activity, and theta/beta ratio.
Main Results:
- Children with HYP demonstrated slower reaction times and reduced BLAST-Stability compared to controls.
- No significant differences in BLAST/EEG markers were found between HYP and ADHD groups.
- AESS scores correlated positively with errors and negatively with BLAST-Intensity in the HYP group.
Conclusions:
- Children with HYP exhibit impulsivity and attention fluctuations comparable to those with ADHD.
- The BLAST-EEG protocol offers a potential method for objectively assessing attention deficits in HYP.
- This approach may aid in the diagnosis and management of attention-related issues in hypersomnolence.
Abstract:
Background. No device is yet available to effectively capture the attentional repercussions of hypersomnolence (HYP). The present study aimed to compare attentional performance of children with HYP, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and controls using behavioral and electrophysiological (EEG) markers, and to assess their relationship with conventional sleepiness measurements. Methods. Children with HYP underwent a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and completed the adapted Epworth sleepiness scale (AESS). Along with age-matched children with ADHD, they were submitted to a resting EEG followed by the Bron-Lyon Attention Stability Test (BLAST). The control group only performed the BLAST. Multivariate models compared reaction time (RT), error percentage, BLAST-Intensity, BLAST-Stability, theta activity, and theta/beta ratio between groups. Correlations between these measures and conventional sleepiness measurements were conducted in children with HYP. Results. Children with HYP had lower RT and BLAST-Stability than controls but showed no significant difference in BLAST/EEG markers compared to children with ADHD. The AESS was positively correlated with the percentage of errors and negatively with BLAST-Intensity. Conclusions. Children with HYP showed impulsivity and attention fluctuations, without difference from children with ADHD for BLAST/EEG markers. The BLAST-EEG protocol could be relevant for the objective assessment of attentional fluctuations related to hypersomnolence.
