Effects of ADHD medications on sleep in children and adolescents

Impact of preadolescent psychostimulants on neurophysiology and sleep/wake disturbances

NIH-funded research California State Univ San Bernardino · NIH-10936478

This study is looking at how ADHD medications might affect sleep in kids, using rats to see if taking these meds early on can lead to sleep problems later in life, so we can better understand how these treatments influence sleep health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCalifornia State Univ San Bernardino NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Bernardino, United States)
Project IDNIH-10936478 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how psychostimulant medications, commonly used to treat ADHD, affect sleep patterns and neurophysiology in children. It aims to understand the relationship between early exposure to these medications and sleep disturbances that may persist into adulthood. Using a rat model, the study will analyze sleep architecture and brain activity through EEG to uncover potential long-term effects of medication on sleep. The findings could provide insights into how ADHD treatments impact overall sleep health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD who may be receiving or have received psychostimulant medications.

Not a fit: Patients without ADHD or those who do not take psychostimulant medications are unlikely to benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for children with ADHD, minimizing sleep-related issues and enhancing their overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated potential links between ADHD medications and sleep disturbances, but this study aims to provide more definitive causal evidence.

Where this research is happening

San Bernardino, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.