Modulation of Slow-Wave Sleep: Implications for Psychiatry.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objectives of this review are to examine and integrate existing empirical evidence regarding the impact of slow-wave sleep (SWS) modulation on memory and executive function performance in individuals with psychiatric disorders, and to examine the feasibility of integrating SWS modulation into psychiatric care. RECENT FINDINGS: SWS modulation in individuals with psychiatric disorders resulted in changes to SWS across multiple psychiatric disorders, using all stimulation methods. SWS stimulation was associated with improved cognitive performance. SWS modulation using acoustic stimulation resulted in improved cognitive performance in children with ADHD, and the use of transcranial stimulation was associated with improved cognitive performance in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Significant relationships between changes in SWS and cognitive improvement were found for individual with mild cognitive impairment following the use of acoustic or transcranial stimulation night. Our review reveals partial support to the potential efficacy of SWS modulation as a transdiagnostic intervention that uses sleep to improve cognitive functions of individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and cognitive deficits. It further highlights multiple barriers pertaining to the feasibility of integrating SWS modulation into clinical practice and proposes ways to improve it.

The Associations Between Sleep and Externalizing and Internalizing Problems in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Empirical Findings, Clinical Implications, and Future Research Directions.

Sleep problems are common in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Externalizing and internalizing problems contribute to dysfunction in youth with ADHD and are amplified by disrupted sleep. This objective of this article is to synthesize empirical studies that examined the associations between sleep and internalizing or externalizing problems in individuals with ADHD. The main findings are that sleep problems precede, predict, and significantly contribute to the manifestation of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among children and adolescents with ADHD. Clinicians should assess sleep and integrate sleep interventions into the management of youth with ADHD.

Sleep and daytime behavior in individuals with Christianson Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to: 1) characterize the sleep behaviors and symptoms of individuals with Christianson Syndrome (CS) by means of validated questionnaires; and 2) determine their associations with daytime emotional and behavioral symptoms in this population. METHODS: Participants included 16 boys genetically diagnosed with CS, between 2.5 and 40 years of age (M = 14.5 ± 8.08). Parents completed questionnaires regarding the sleep, daytime behavior, and health of their child. RESULTS: Of the participants, 31% did not obtain the recommended amount of sleep for their age, 43% experienced a prolonged sleep latency, and 88% had a clinical or sub-clinical score for at least one subscale of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). Specific problems detected included insomnia, sleep-wake transition disorders, periodic limb movements in sleep, and sleep related breathing disorders. About half of the participants manifested emotional and behavioral problems at clinical levels. Higher levels of sleep disturbances were associated with higher levels of behavioral and emotional daytime symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep problems are common in individuals with CS and are associated with daytime behavioral and emotional symptoms.

The Associations Between Sleep and Externalizing and Internalizing Problems in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Empirical Findings, Clinical Implications, and Future Research Directions.

Sleep problems are common in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Externalizing and internalizing problems contribute to dysfunction in youth with ADHD and are amplified by disrupted sleep. This objective of this article is to synthesize empirical studies that examined the associations between sleep and internalizing or externalizing problems in individuals with ADHD. The main findings are that sleep problems precede, predict, and significantly contribute to the manifestation of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among children and adolescents with ADHD. Clinicians should assess sleep and integrate sleep interventions into the management of youth with ADHD.