Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Editorial
. 2018 Dec;59(12):1248-1251.
doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12956. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Editorial Perspective: Delayed circadian rhythm phase: a cause of late-onset attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adolescents?

Jessica R Lunsford-Avery  1 , Scott H Kollins  1
Affiliations
Editorial

Editorial Perspective: Delayed circadian rhythm phase: a cause of late-onset attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adolescents?

Jessica R Lunsford-Avery et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Late-onset attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been a topic of significant debate within our field. One question focuses on whether there may be alternative explanations for the onset of inattentive and/or hyperactive symptoms in adolescence. Adolescence is a developmental period associated with a normative circadian rhythm phase delay, and there is significant overlap in the behavioral and cognitive manifestations and genetic underpinnings of ADHD and circadian misalignment. Delayed circadian rhythm phase is also common among individuals with traditionally diagnosed ADHD, and exposure to bright light may be protective against ADHD, a process potentially mediated by improved circadian timing. In addition, daytime sleepiness is prevalent in late-onset ADHD. Despite these converging lines of evidence, circadian misalignment is yet to be considered in the context of late-onset ADHD - a glaring gap. It is imperative for future research in late-onset ADHD to consider a possible causal role of delayed circadian rhythm phase in adolescence. Clarification of this issue has significant implications for research, clinical care, and public health.

Keywords: ADHD; circadian rhythm; sleep.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Arns M, van der Heijden KB, Arnold LE, & Kenemans JL (2013). Geographic Variation in the Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The Sunny Perspective. Biological Psychiatry, 74, 585–590. - PubMed
    1. Bijlenga D, van der Heijden KB, Breuk M, van Someren EJ, Lie ME, Boonstra AM, Swaab HJT & Kooij JJS (2013). Associations Between Sleep Characteristics, Seasonal Depressive Symptoms, Lifestyle, and ADHD Symptoms in Adults. Journal of Attention Disorders, 17, 261–275. - PubMed
    1. Caye A, Sibley MH, Swanson JM, & Rohde LA (2017). Late-Onset ADHD: Understanding the Evidence and Building Theoretical Frameworks. Curr Psychiatry Rep, 19, 106. - PubMed
    1. Coogan AN, & McGowan NM (2017). A systematic review of circadian function, chronotype and chronotherapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Atten Defic Hyperact Disord, 9, 129–147. - PubMed
    1. Kelley P, Lockley SW, Foster RG, & Kelley J (2015). Synchronizing education to adolescent biology: ‘let teens sleep, start school later’. Learning Media and Technology, 40, 210–226.

Publication types