Performance on the continuous performance test in children with ADHD is associated with sleep efficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the level of sleep efficiency of children diagnosed with ADHD moderates their performance on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) while receiving a placebo and while receiving methylphenidate (MPH).


METHODS
Nightly sleep actigraphic assessment during a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical study (1 week of 0.5 mg/kg MPH; 1 week of placebo) were obtained on 37 children between 6 and 12 years of age with a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD. Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the mean sleep efficiency score during the placebo condition, with subjects above and below the mean placed in the Poor Sleep Group (PSG) and Good Sleep Group (GSG), respectively.


METHODS
Vigilance testing was conducted in the laboratory; sleep was assessed in the home.


METHODS
Sleep was monitored using actigraphy for 2 weeks. In addition, parents were asked to complete nightly sleep logs and a sleep questionnaire. The Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) was used to assess vigilance.


RESULTS
Significant interaction of Sleep Group with Medication was found on 1 CPT factor.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study support the hypothesis that sleep moderates performance on CPT in children with ADHD while receiving placebo or MPH.
Gruber
Reut
R
Douglas Mental Health University Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Canada. reut.gruber@douglas.mcgill.ca
Grizenko
Natalie
N
Schwartz
George
G
Bellingham
Johanne
J
Guzman
Rosherrie
R
Joober
Ridha
R
D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000187:drug effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate
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