Future research directions in sleep and ADHD: report of a consensus working group

Abstract

Objective: To explore relationships between basic and translational science research regarding sleep and ADHD in children.

Method: A multidisciplinary group of experts in pediatric sleep medicine and ADHD convened in November 2010 to summarize the current literature, delineate knowledge gaps, and formulate recommendations regarding future research directions and priorities.

Results: Six major research areas of interest were identified: (a) brain centers regulating sleep, arousal, and attention; (b) neurotransmitter systems involved in both sleep and attention regulation; (c) alterations of neural systems regulating sleep in ADHD; (d) phenotypic similarities between behavioral, mood, and cognitive manifestations of insufficient/disrupted sleep and ADHD; (e) hypoarousal and sleepiness in ADHD; and (f) external sleep-wake signals that affect sleep regulation in ADHD.

Conclusion: An enhanced understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating sleep promotion, wakefulness, and attention may contribute to new insights regarding the core impairments in ADHD and lead to the development of new therapies.

Keywords: ADHD; circadian rhythms; sleep.