600 Differential Impact of Overnight Delta Power Dynamics on Neurocognition among Adolescents with ADHD versus Healthy Controls

Abstract

Introduction: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with neurocognitive impairment; however, mechanisms contributing to neurocognitive deficits in ADHD are poorly understood. Sleep disturbance is common in ADHD, and our previous work has shown associations between overnight delta power dynamics (lower initial delta peak, slower delta decline) and poorer neurocognition among individuals with insomnia, suggesting these processes may underlie sleep restoration. This study investigates relationships between delta power dynamics and neurocognition among adolescents with ADHD versus healthy controls (HC). Methods: In this ongoing study, 47 adolescents aged 13-17 (19 ADHD, 23 females, mean age=15.26) participated in a psychiatric evaluation and three nights of ambulatory polysomnography (PSG). Following the third night, participants completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Spectral analysis was conducted on a single O1-C3 channel and epochs were movement/artifact-free. Sleep variables were averaged over 3 nights. General linear models controlling for age, sex, total sleep time (TST), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) examined the effects of delta dynamics on neurocognition (summary score derived from principal components analysis of CANTAB subtests) and whether these associations differed across groups. Results: PSG sleep variables did not differ by group (p's>.05). Significant effects of group (F(7,36)=23.10, p