Trastorno deficitario de atención e hiperactividad y sueño Attention deficit hyperactive disorder and sleep

summARY Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is characterized by inadequate attention, excessive motor activity and impulsivity. It has a multifactorial origin, with environmental, genetic, psychosocial and cultural component. The frontoestriatal circuit, the limbic system, optical thalamus and other areas of the central nervous system are involved in this disorder, as well as neurotransmitters, This paper examines the relationship of this disorder with sleep alterations, from studies conducted in children and reports of their parents. Although there is no specific pattern of sleep in this condition, there has been a higher prevalence of insomnia, parasomnias, somnambulism and periodic limbs movements. It is recommended that children with ADHD be evaluated in terms of sleep disorders, and also to rule out the presence of ADHD in patients with sleep disorders. Drugs as melatonine, clonidin and modafinil are used to treat these disorders and it is important to modify the environ mental factors and to get better sleep habits.