Cognitive and electroencephalographic disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleep problems: new insights.
There is overlap between the behavioural symptoms and disturbances associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and sleep problems. The aim of this study was to examine the extent of overlap in cognitive and electrophysiological disturbances identified in children experiencing sleep problems and children with AD/HD or both. Four groups (aged 7-18) were compared: children with combined AD/HD and sleep problems (n=32), children with AD/HD (n=52) or sleep problems (n=36) only, and children with neither disorder (n=119). Electrophysiological and cognitive function measures included: absolute EEG power during eyes open and eyes closed, event-related potential (ERP) components indexing attention and working memory processes (P3), and a number of standard neuropsychological tests. Children with symptoms of both AD/HD and sleep problems had a different profile from those of children with either AD/HD or sleep problems only. These findings suggest it is unlikely that disturbances in brain and cognitive functioning associated with sleep problems also give rise to AD/HD symptomatology and consequent diagnosis. Furthermore, findings suggest that children with symptoms of both AD/HD and sleep problems may have a different underlying aetiology than children with AD/HD-only or sleep problems-only, perhaps requiring unique treatment interventions.
School of Psychology, Flinders University, SA, Australia.
Alyssa C P
AC
Sawyer
C Richard
CR
Clark
Hannah A D
HA
Keage
Kathryn A
KA
Moores
Simon
S
Clarke
Michael R
MR
Kohn
Evian
E
Gordon
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology