title: Altered circadian profiles in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an integrative review and theoretical framework for future studies.
abstract: Disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle and the circadian system have been found in a wide range of psychiatric disorders and are generally correlated with clinical severity and diminished quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests similar disturbances may be found in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we review the available literature on across the day fluctuations in ADHD-related processes in terms of; (i) time of day effects on behavior and activity; (ii) morningness-eveningness chronotypology; (iii) sleep/wake rhythms; and (iv) rhythmicity in neuroendocrine and neurophysiological responsiveness. On this basis, we propose a neurobiological framework to guide future study, which sees circadian effects in ADHD, along with other aspects of ADHD arousal-related deficits (e.g., cognitive energetic deficits), as being the result of dysregulated locus coeruleus function. Based on this perspective specific recommendations for future research are presented.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Research Unit, 0K12F, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. lindita.imeraj@ugent.be
authors.forename: Lindita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Imeraj
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sonuga-Barke
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Antrop
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roeyers
authors.forename: Roeljan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiersema
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deboutte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology