She proposed a theory at a conference in September that ADHD may be caused by a lack of regular circadian sleep. ADHD patients have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain whose levels start increasing in the morning. But he does believe there’s a consistent pattern in a large number of ADHD patients related to sleep. Dr. Coogan says that genes aside, adults with ADHD may also be affected by medications they are taking, which can impact sleep. The interplay between ADHD and sleep in children is trickier, because their sleep patterns and circadian rhythms change as they grow.

Source: Wall Street Journal November 06, 2017 16:07 UTC