Sleep problems : early signs of neurodevelopmental disorders

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K10252
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Horiuchi Fumie 愛媛大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (50363247)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岡 靖哲 愛媛大学, 医学部附属病院, 准教授 (60419025) ; 河邉 憲太郎 愛媛大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (90457375)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 乳幼児 / 自閉特性 / 入床時のむずかり / 眠気 / 睡眠覚醒リズム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Diagnosed autism spectrum disorders have been associated with a high prevalence of sleep problems. However, little is known about the possible association between subclinical autistic traits and sleep habits/problems. The aim of this study is to examine the association between autistic traits and sleep habits/problems of toddlers. Sleep habits/problems were compared between the autistic and the non-autistic toddlers.Bedtime resistance, abnormality in circadian rhythm, and sleepiness were significantly often showed in the autistic toddlers. Moreover, among sleep problems, autistic traits were significantly associated with sleepiness except for napping.
Sleepiness is the strongest association with autistic traits, which could be one of the precursor symptoms for autism. These findings suggest that sleepiness during classes might be a visible symptom for earlier detection of autistic toddlers, and sleep-wake rhythmicity should be checked while examining toddlers.

Free Research Field

児童青年精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

乳幼児健診にて「夜なかなか寝なくて困る」との母親の相談は多かったが，その訴えが臨床的に重要な情報とみなされてこなかった．乳幼児健診時に、睡眠の問題を有する乳幼児は，脳機能の脆弱性を有する可能性があり，診断レベルかどうかは定かではないが早期の介入が有効な可能性がある一群と考えられる．睡眠と発達の問題の関係が明らかになれば，より積極的な介入の必要性の有無が明らかになることが予想される．