Cognitive and electroencephalographic disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleep problems: New insights

Sawyer, Alyssa C.P.; Clark, C. Richard; Keage, Hannah A.D.; Moores, Kathryn A.; Clarke, Simon; Kohn, Michael R.; Gordon, Evian

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2008.10.026

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Volume 170, Issue 2 , Pages 183-191, 30 December 2009

Cognitive and electroencephalographic disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleep problems: New insights

Alyssa C.P. Sawyer
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Flinders University, SA, Australia
C. Richard Clark
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Flinders University, SA, Australia
- Corresponding author. School of Psychology, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Tel.: +61 8 8201 2425; fax: +61 8 8201 3877.
Hannah A.D. Keage
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Flinders University, SA, Australia
Kathryn A. Moores
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Flinders University, SA, Australia
Simon Clarke
- Centre for Research into Adolescents' Health, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Meridian Clinic, Bondi Junction, NSW, Australia
Michael R. Kohn
- Centre for Research into Adolescents' Health, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Meridian Clinic, Bondi Junction, NSW, Australia
Evian Gordon
- The Brain Resource International Database, Brain Resource Company, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia

Received 28 February 2008; received in revised form 27 August 2008; accepted 23 October 2008.

Abstract

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.