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Neurofeedback in ADHD and insomnia: Vigilance stabilization through sleep spindles and circadian networks

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Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Neurofeedback in ADHD and insomnia: Vigilance stabilization through sleep spindles and circadian networks.

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Study at a glance

Area
ADHD & Attention
Study type
Review & meta-analysis
Authors
Arns M, Kenemans JL
Journal
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Year
2014
Protocol
SMR and SCP neurofeedback (review)

Key findings

  • Circadian phase delay with sleep onset insomnia is proposed as central in a subgroup of ADHD patients
  • Melatonin and early morning bright light act on the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which projects to the noradrenergic locus coeruleus, possibly explaining their vigilance-stabilizing effects
  • SMR and SCP neurofeedback are hypothesized to increase sleep spindle density and normalize sleep onset
  • Suggests neurofeedback might be stopped once sleep onset normalizes, which could mean fewer sessions (needs further study)

DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.10.006 → PubMed 23099283 →

A review of the history and current status of neurofeedback for ADHD and insomnia. The authors propose that in a subgroup of people with ADHD, a delayed circadian rhythm causes sleep onset insomnia (SOI), and that sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) and slow cortical potential (SCP) neurofeedback may act on sleep spindle circuits, normalizing sleep onset and in turn stabilizing vigilance via the locus coeruleus. Because ADHD symptoms would improve only after sleep normalizes, they argue trials should use follow-up rather than end-of-treatment assessments as the primary endpoint.