Understanding how sleep patterns affect ADHD in children and adults
Official title: Advancing Identification of Circadian Delay in ADHD Youth: Associations with Clinical Heterogeneity and Cognition
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11046095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep problems, like trouble falling asleep and having irregular sleep schedules, affect young people with ADHD, and it hopes to find ways to tailor treatments based on their unique sleep habits and ADHD symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $809,312 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH136425-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD who experience sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of ADHD or those who do not experience sleep-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between circadian rhythm delays and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in youth. It aims to identify how sleep disturbances, particularly difficulties in falling asleep and irregular sleep schedules, contribute to the clinical variability seen in ADHD. By examining both behavioral and biological factors, the study seeks to personalize treatment approaches based on individual sleep patterns and ADHD symptoms. Participants will be monitored using actigraphy to gather data on their sleep behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, personalized treatment strategies for individuals with ADHD, improving their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of sleep on ADHD, but this specific focus on circadian rhythms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lunsford-Avery, Jessica Ruth — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lunsford-Avery, Jessica Ruth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.