From sleep to arousal to attention deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders

Excerpt

Arousal and sleep as two sides of one coin are of considerable neurophysiological and psychological importance. Disturbances of this system may lead or at least contribute to severe neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD). Thus, the area of arousal and sleep and its impact on attention represents an exciting field for research both in its neurobiological background and its impact on mental health. Sleep disturbances are common in a variety of mental disorders including depression, personality disorders and ADHD. Further, psychotropic substances including psychiatric medication interact with the alertness system and thereby influence individuals’ arousal level as well as sleep pattern. …