Long lasting complex nocturnal hallucinations during Osmotic Release Oral System (OROS) methylphenidate treatment in a 7-year old girl

Abstract

We report a case of a girl with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) who experienced a 3-hour episode of nocturnal complex bizarre visual hallucinations when treated with 18 mg Osmotic Release Oral System (OROS) methylphenidate (MPH). Nocturnal polysomnography performed two weeks later revealed REM sleep reduction (17%) and fragmentation . Two episodes of confusional arousals were recorded. This finding is typical of parasomnia associated with NREM sleep - disorder of arousal. We hypothesize that this preexisting sleep impairment represents a factor of vulnerability to MPH sleep side effects. In our search of literature, we found no report of nocturnal hallucination alone during treatment with stimulants.