ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are common in typically developing (TD) children and in children with autism, however, less is known about the sleep of children with Asperger's disorder (AD). The aim of this study was to compare sleep patterns of children with autism and AD to a TD group of children. METHODS: Sixty-six parents of TD children, 53 parents of children with autism, and 52 parents of children with AD completed a survey on their child's sleep patterns, the nature and severity of any sleep problems and success of any treatment attempted. RESULTS: The results showed high prevalence of sleep problems with significantly more problems reported in the autism and AD groups (TD = 50%, autism = 73%, AD = 73%), with no significant differences between groups on severity or type of sleep problem. Children with AD were significantly more likely to be sluggish and disoriented after waking and had a higher Behavioral Evaluation of Disorders of Sleep (BEDS) total score compared to the other two groups. The autism and AD groups reported significantly better treatment success for medication compared to the TD group. The autism group reported significantly better success for behavioural treatment compared to the AD group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, children with AD may have more symptoms of sleep disturbance, and different types of sleep problems than children with autism. As this is the first study to compare autism and AD and to survey treatment outcomes, further research is needed to validate these findings.
Subject(s)
Asperger Syndrome/epidemiology , Autistic Disorder/epidemiology , Child Development , Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Asperger Syndrome/diagnosis , Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Therapy/statistics & numerical data , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Severity of Illness Index , Sleep Wake Disorders/diagnosis , Sleep Wake Disorders/drug therapyABSTRACT
Extracts of the plant St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum, are effective for treatment of mild depression. It has been hypothesised that H. perforatum may be acting on the circadian timing system either directly or via a photosensitising action to produce changes in mood. Two experiments were conducted to test these hypotheses. Under constant dark (Experiment 1) or low constant light (Experiment 2) rats were permitted to free-run. Rats were then treated with a 'high' (616mg/kg/day; n = 8 per experiment) or 'low' (308 mg/kg/day; n = 8 per experiment) dose of H. perforatum or a control solution (n = 8 per experiment) in drinking water, and circadian locomotor rhythms examined for alterations of period. A minor shortening of mean period (2.4 min) was observed on cessation of H. perforatum treatment in the low-dose group in Experiment 2, and was considered to be a measurement artifact and of no clinical value. Otherwise, no significant differences in free-running period between treatment groups were observed in either study, indicating that H. perforatum has no direct or photosensitising effect on the mammalian circadian system. These results suggest that the antidepressant action of H. perforatum is not mediated by a circadian mechanism.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Hypericum , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Circadian Rhythm , Depressive Disorder/physiopathology , Light , Male , Rats , Rats, Long-EvansABSTRACT
Serious sleep problems are common in children with an intellectual deficit (ID), and are often the source of much distress for both the child and caregivers. As yet, no satisfactory long-term treatment exists for intransigent sleep difficulties in children with an ID. Valerian, Valeriana spp., has been used for thousands of years to induce relaxation and sleep. Scientific investigation of valerian's sleep promoting ability in humans, whilst limited, has yielded promising findings. This initial study aimed to explore valerian's potential for assisting in the treatment of sleep problems in children with an ID. Five children with varying intellectual deficits and different primary sleep problems underwent eight continuous weeks of monitoring via sleep diaries, adhering to a double blind, placebo controlled and randomised design. Compared to baseline and placebo, valerian treatment led to significant reductions in sleep latencies and nocturnal time awake, lengthened total sleep time and improved sleep quality. The treatment was apparently most effective in children with deficits that involved hyperactivity. Although the findings are preliminary and in need of replication, there is evidence to suggest that valerian may be useful in the safe and effective long-term treatment of intransigent sleep difficulties in children with ID's, and therefore warrants further investigation.
