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Ritalin (methylphenidate), a short-acting stimulant, is used to treat children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This double-blind crossover study may put to rest the concern that Ritalin causes sleep disturbances (both hypoarousal and insomnia) in children with ADHD.
Researchers measured sleep patterns with an activity monitor (a validated electronic sensor) in 10 children with ADHD for 6 days during a baseline period, placebo treatment, and Ritalin treatment (0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg in the morning). Sleep duration was significantly shorter during Ritalin treatment (mean, 513 minutes) than at baseline (548 minutes) or during placebo recordings (556 minutes). However, both sleep duration and sleep pattern during Ritalin treatmen…