Researchers Propose Circadian Disruption Causes ADHD in 73% to 78% of Patients With Delayed Sleep Timing
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 8
Researchers Propose Circadian Disruption Causes ADHD in 73% to 78% of Patients With Delayed Sleep Timing
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 8
Summary
A Frontiers of Psychiatry perspective by Brandon Luu and Nicholas Fabiano argues circadian-rhythm disruption may help cause ADHD, not merely result from it, and urges routine screening for sleep and body-clock disturbances.
Evidence cited centers on late chronotypes: 73% to 78% of children and adults with ADHD have delayed sleep-wake timing, while melatonin onset runs about 45 minutes later in children and 90 minutes later in adults.
Researchers also point to delayed cortisol cycles, a smaller pineal gland on MRI and weaker daily rhythms in clock genes, suggesting broader alterations in the body's timing system.
The theory could shift care toward low-risk interventions such as sleep tracking, morning bright light, melatonin and reducing evening screen exposure to phase-shift patients closer to social schedules.
More broadly, the work reflects a growing push in psychiatry to test whether disrupted circadian timing contributes to disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.