title: Visually detected NREM Stage 2 sleep spindles in kindergarten children are associated with current and future emotional and behavioural characteristics.
abstract: Sleep electroencephalogram spindles are associated with efficient cortical-subcortical connectivity, and intellectual and learning abilities. In the present study, we assessed healthy preschoolers with a twofold aim: (i) to explore associations of non-rapid eye movement S2 spindles with emotional/behavioural characteristics cross-sectionally; and (ii) longitudinally. A total of 43 children who were 5 years old underwent objective sleep electroencephalogram monitoring in their homes. Emotional and behavioural dimensions were assessed by parents and teachers with the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire at baseline and at follow-up 1 year later. Non-rapid eye movement S2 spindles were visually scored and compared with Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire dimensions. High non-rapid eye movement S2 spindle density was associated with less internalizing behaviour, more prosocial behaviour and a low total problem score. In girls, high non-rapid eye movement S2 spindle density was related to low hyperactivity, while in boys it was associated with less internalizing behaviour, more externalizing behaviour and more hyperactivity. Longitudinally, a higher number of non-rapid eye movement S2 spindles at 5 years old predicted fewer peer problems 12 months later. In kindergarten children, high non-rapid eye movement S2 spindle density is associated with observable current and future favourable emotional/behavioural patterns. However, gender differences were also found, as should be taken into account in future studies.
authors.affiliation: Depression and Sleep Research Unit, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. thorsten.mikoteit@upkbs.ch
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikoteit
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perren
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Von Wyl
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Von Klitzing
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatzinger
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D012737:Sex Factors; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior