Sleep regularity in healthy adolescents: Associations with sleep duration, sleep quality, and mental health.

Current evidence points to the importance of sleep for adolescent physical and mental health. To date, most studies have examined the association between sleep duration/quality and health in adolescence. An emerging line of research suggests that regularity in the timing of sleep may also play an important role in well-being. To address this aspect of sleep, the present study investigated daily variability of sleep, quantified using the sleep regularity index (SRI), in 46 adolescents (M = 12.78 ± 1.07 years) and its association with depressive symptoms/mental health. Sleep was measured during a 6 month period (M = 133.11 ± 36.42 nights) using actigraphs to quantify SRI values calculated for school days, weekends and holidays. Depressive symptoms and general psychopathology were assessed at the beginning (baseline) and end (follow-up) of the actigraphy measurements. Sleep was most regular during school days and associated with a longer total sleep time, shorter sleep onset latency, and higher sleep efficiency. Moreover, a higher SRI on school days was associated with fewer depressive symptoms at follow-up, whereas higher SRI on weekends was associated with less overall psychopathology at follow-up. Furthermore, the change in overall psychopathology, but not depressive symptoms across the two assessments was correlated with sleep regularity index. Our results suggest that regular timing of sleep is associated with sleep that is of longer duration and higher quality and may be protective of adolescent mental health. Therefore, adolescents should be encouraged not only to get enough sleep, but also to retain regular sleeping patterns to promote well-being and mental health.

Inverse association between slow-wave sleep and low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between both self-reported and objective sleep variables and low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) of moderate to severe symptom severity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we examined twenty-nine children and adolescents diagnosed with MDD and twenty-nine healthy controls (HC). Following a one-week actigraphy assessment, comprehensive sleep evaluations were conducted, including a one-night sleep EEG measurement and self-reported sleep data. Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was employed as a marker to assess low-grade inflammation. RESULTS: No significant difference in hsCRP levels was observed between participants with MDD and HC. Furthermore, after adjusting for sleep difficulties, hsCRP exhibited no correlation with the severity of depressive symptoms. In HC, levels of hsCRP were not linked to self-reported and objective sleep variables. In contrast, depressed participants showed a significant correlation between hsCRP levels and increased subjective insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index; r = 0.41, p < 0.05), increased time spent in the N2 sleep stage (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), and decreased time spent in slow-wave sleep (r = - 0.61, p < 0.001). Upon additional adjustments for body mass index, tobacco use and depression severity, only the inverse association between hsCRP and time spent in slow-wave sleep retained statistical significance. Moderation analysis indicated that group status (MDD vs. HC) significantly moderates the association between slow-wave sleep and hsCRP. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that alterations in the architecture of slow-wave sleep may have a significant influence on modulating low-grade inflammatory processes in children and adolescents with MDD.

Pediatric sleep: current knowledge, gaps, and opportunities for the future.

This White Paper addresses the current gaps in knowledge, as well as opportunities for future studies in pediatric sleep. The Sleep Research Society's Pipeline Development Committee assembled a panel of experts tasked to provide information to those interested in learning more about the field of pediatric sleep, including trainees. We cover the scope of pediatric sleep, including epidemiological studies and the development of sleep and circadian rhythms in early childhood and adolescence. Additionally, we discuss current knowledge of insufficient sleep and circadian disruption, addressing the neuropsychological impact (affective functioning) and cardiometabolic consequences. A significant portion of this White Paper explores pediatric sleep disorders (including circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia, restless leg and periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea), as well as sleep and neurodevelopment disorders (e.g. autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Finally, we end with a discussion on sleep and public health policy. Although we have made strides in our knowledge of pediatric sleep, it is imperative that we address the gaps to the best of our knowledge and the pitfalls of our methodologies. For example, more work needs to be done to assess pediatric sleep using objective methodologies (i.e. actigraphy and polysomnography), to explore sleep disparities, to improve accessibility to evidence-based treatments, and to identify potential risks and protective markers of disorders in children. Expanding trainee exposure to pediatric sleep and elucidating future directions for study will significantly improve the future of the field.