Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurobehavioral disorders present during childhood and adolescence. ADHD associated with profound interpersonal and societal burden, yet the cause of ADHD is unknown. Sleep is an intimate regulator of cognition and behavior and sleep deprivation leads to inattention-like symptoms. One in three children with ADHD have sleep problems, yet the role of sleep in regulating inattention in ADHD is under-investigated. I propose to examine whether sleep contributes to the cause of inattention characteristic to pediatric ADHD. If so, sleep loss may provide a novel yet manageable risk factor in multiple conditions where sleep loss and inattention co-occur (e.g., ADHD, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder). In this K01 application I propose to address this concern with training in developmental psychopathology and neurobehavioral disorders (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, patient contact), multi-modal neuroimaging in children with such disorders, advanced statistical and analytical techniques (e.g., causal inference modeling), child and adolescent sleep (e.g., sleep disorders co-morbid in ADHD), and child/pubertal development. I propose a research plan that fully capitalizes on this inter- disciplinary training. I will characterize a sample of 68 youngsters (10-13 yo) across a dimension of symptom- level inattention, ranging from asymptomatic to severe attention deficits. Each child will enter a spend three nights in the laboratory: a sleep-rested night of laboratory sleep, a night with sleep restricted to 4 hours, and a full night of recovery sleep. I predict that increasing severity of attention will be associated with structural brain deficits in attention-regulating neuroanatomy that will lead to atypical sleep, and as a result increased vulnerability to sleep loss and decreased sensitivity to the benefits of sleep. If successful this project will greatly expand our knowledge of the role of sleep in ADHD.

Public Health Relevance

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurobehavioral disorders present during childhood and adolescence. It is associated with profound interpersonal and societal burden, yet the cause of ADHD is unknown. One in three children with ADHD have sleep problems. I propose to examine whether sleep contributes to the cause of inattention characteristic of pediatric ADHD. If so, sleep loss may provide a novel yet manageable risk factor in multiple conditions where sleep loss and inattention co-occur (e.g., ADHD, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01MH109854-01A1
Application #
9236758
Study Section
Child Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities Study Section (CPDD)
Program Officer
Sarampote, Christopher S
Project Start
2016-09-14
Project End
2020-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-14
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$171,061
Indirect Cost
$12,671
Name
Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
075706176
City
East Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02915
Saletin, Jared M; Hilditch, Cassie J; Dement, William C et al. (2017) Short Daytime Naps Briefly Attenuate Objectively Measured Sleepiness Under Chronic Sleep Restriction. Sleep 40: