Anna Joyce - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Anna Joyce
Background: High levels of anxiety and sleep problems are common features of Fetal Alcohol Spectr... more Background: High levels of anxiety and sleep problems are common features of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The strong association between sleep and anxiety has been documented in typically developing (TD) populations and is thought to be bidirectional. The association between sleep and anxiety in children with FASD has not yet been examined. Methods: Caregivers of children with FASD (n=91) and TD children (n=103) aged 6-16 completed the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and a background questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses, group comparisons and ANCOVA interaction models were used to test the associations between sleep and anxiety within and between
Research has shown an association with sensorimotor integration and symptomology of Autism Spectr... more Research has shown an association with sensorimotor integration and symptomology of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Specific areas of the brain that are involved in sensorimotor integration, such as the cerebellum and basal ganglia are pathologically different in individuals with ASC in comparison to typically developing (TD) peers. These brain regions contain GABAergic inhibitory neurons that release an inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). Brain GABA levels are decreased in ASC. This study explored, for the first time, the effect of introducing a non-invasive GABA substitute, in the form of GABA Oolong tea, on the sensorimotor skills, ASC profiles, anxieties and sleep of children with ASC. Nine children took part: (5 male, 4 female). Each child participated in three tea conditions: high GABA, high L-Theanine (a compound that increases GABA), tea with low GABA content as a placebo. A double blind, repeated measures design was employed. Measures were taken after each tea condition. Sensory and ASC profiles were scored using parental questionnaires. Motor skills were assessed using a gold standard coordination assessment. Sleep was monitored using an Actiwatch and anxiety measured through cortisol assays. Subjective views were sought from parents on 'best' tea. Results showed significant improvement in manual dexterity and some large individual improvements in balance, sensory responsivity, DSM-5 criteria and cortisol levels with GABA tea. Improvements were also seen in the L-Theanine condition, although were more sporadic. These results suggest that sensorimotor abilities, anxiety levels and DSM-5 symptomology of children with ASC can benefit from the administration of GABA in the form of Oolong tea.
Archives of disease in childhood, Jan 14, 2018
Children with Down syndrome are at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and screening is r... more Children with Down syndrome are at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and screening is recommended. Diagnosis of OSA should be confirmed with multichannel sleep studies. We aimed to determine whether home pulse oximetry (HPO) discriminates children at high risk of OSA, who need further diagnostic multichannel sleep studies. Cross-sectional prospective study in a training sample recruited through three UK centres. Validation sample used single-centre retrospective analysis of clinical data. Children with Down syndrome aged 0.5-6 years. Diagnostic multichannel sleep study and HPO. Sensitivity and specificity of HPO to predict moderate-to-severe OSA. 161/202 children with Down syndrome met quality criteria for inclusion and 25 had OSA. In this training sample, the best HPO parameter predictors of OSA were the delta 12 s index >0.555 (sensitivity 92%, specificity 65%) and 3% oxyhaemoglobin (SpO) desaturation index (3% ODI)>6.15 dips/hour (sensitivity 92%, specificity 63%)...
Scientific reports, Jan 8, 2017
According to the Intuitive Belief Hypothesis, supernatural belief relies heavily on intuitive thi... more According to the Intuitive Belief Hypothesis, supernatural belief relies heavily on intuitive thinking-and decreases when analytic thinking is engaged. After pointing out various limitations in prior attempts to support this Intuitive Belief Hypothesis, we test it across three new studies using a variety of paradigms, ranging from a pilgrimage field study to a neurostimulation experiment. In all three studies, we found no relationship between intuitive or analytical thinking and supernatural belief. We conclude that it is premature to explain belief in gods as 'intuitive', and that other factors, such as socio-cultural upbringing, are likely to play a greater role in the emergence and maintenance of supernatural belief than cognitive style.
![Research paper thumbnail of Corrigendum to "Prevalence and predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in young children with Down syndrome" [Sleep Med 27-28 (2016) 99-106]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/89545384/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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Developmental Science, 2015
A cross-syndrome study of the differential effects of sleep on declarative memory consolidation i... more A cross-syndrome study of the differential effects of sleep on declarative memory consolidation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Developmental Science , n/a-n/a.
Nigerian Medical Journal, 2014
and metabolic conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 DM. 4-7 OSA has also been shown to im... more and metabolic conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 DM. 4-7 OSA has also been shown to impact on glycaemic control among DM patients independent of the effect of obesity. 4 The postulated mechanisms of this effect include sleep fragmentation, frequent arousals, intermittent hypoxaemia and consequently, hyper-activation of sympathetic mechanisms leading to poor glucose control. 8 However, the impact of OSA among patients with type 2 diabetes is unknown and infrequently studied in developing countries where the burden of DM is substantial and increasing. 9 To the best of our knowledge, there is no study on the prevalence and predictors of OSA in patients with diabetes in Nigeria or any population of patients with diabetes in West Africa. We hypothesise that OSA is prevalent in type 2 diabetes. We aimed to describe the prevalence of OSA in type 2 DM patients using a screening questionnaire and to ascertain the predictors of a high risk of OSA after adjusting for obesity. Several epidemiologic studies have shown that OSA is independently associated with cardiovascular diseases
Journal of Sleep Research, 2013
We are grateful to all children who took part in the study and to their parents and teachers. Als... more We are grateful to all children who took part in the study and to their parents and teachers. Also the Williams Syndrome Foundation UK and Down Syndrome Education International, who funded this study as part of a larger project.
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2013
This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright
Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2014
In typically developing (TD) children, sleep problems have been associated with daytime attention... more In typically developing (TD) children, sleep problems have been associated with daytime attentional difficulties. Children with developmental disabilities often suffer with sleep and attention problems, yet their relationship is poorly understood. The present study investigated this association in school-aged children with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS). Actigraphy and pulse oximetry assessed sleep and sleep-disordered breathing respectively, and attention was tested using a novel visual Continuous Performance Task (CPT).Attentional deficits were evident in both disorder groups. In the TD group, higher scores on the CPT were related to better sleep quality, higher oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO 2), and fewer desaturation events. Sleep quality, duration, and SpO 2 variables were not related to CPT performance for children with DS and WS.
This study was funded by Down Syndrome Education International and The Williams Syndrome Foundati... more This study was funded by Down Syndrome Education International and The Williams Syndrome Foundation, UK. We thank all children and their families for taking part in the study, and the schools who granted us access. We also posthumously thank our co-author and dear friend Annette, who would have loved to see this work in print.
Sleep, 2007
Inadequate sleep and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can impair learning skills. Questionnaires ... more Inadequate sleep and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can impair learning skills. Questionnaires used to evaluate sleepiness in adults are usually inadequate for adolescents. We conducted a study to evaluate the performance of a Spanish version of the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and to assess the impact of sleepiness and SDB on academic performance. Design: A cross-sectional survey of students from 7 schools in 4 cities of Argentina. Measurements: A questionnaire with a Spanish version of the PDSS was used. Questions on the occurrence of snoring and witnessed apneas were answered by the parents. Mathematics and language grades were used as indicators of academic performance. Participants: The sample included 2,884 students (50% males; age: 13.3 ± 1.5 years) Results: Response rate was 85%; 678 cases were excluded due to missing data. Half the students slept <9 h per night on weekdays. The mean PDSS value was 15.74 ± 5.93. Parental reporting of snoring occurred in 511 subjects (23%); snoring was occasional in 14% and frequent in 9%. Apneas were witnessed in 237 cases (11%), being frequent in 4% and occasional in 7%. Frequent snorers had higher mean PDSS scores than occasional or nonsnorers (18 ± 5, 15.7 ± 6 and 15.5 ± 6, respectively; P < 0.001). Reported snoring or apneas and the PDSS were significant univariate predictors of failure and remained significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, specific school attended, and sleep habits. Conclusions: Insufficient hours of sleep were prevalent in this population. The Spanish version of the PDSS was a reliable tool in middle-schoolaged children. Reports of snoring or witnessed apneas and daytime sleepiness as measured by PDSS were independent predictors of poor academic performance.
Journal of Human Lactation
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted upon people’s psychological and physical wel... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted upon people’s psychological and physical wellbeing; however, the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on mothers of young children, with particular regard to breastfeeding, are unknown. Research Aims To explore: (1) Sources of advice and support available to breastfeeding mothers during and prior to the COVID-19 lockdown; (2) Mothers’ opinions on statements and recommendations made by the World Health Organization on the importance of breastfeeding and breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) Maternal emotional states (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms) experienced by breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown; and (4) influence of breastfeeding duration and number of children on breastfeeding opinions and emotional states. Methods Mothers of children aged 0–36 months ( N = 4018) took part in an online survey. The survey included demographic questions, as well as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and th...
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Background: Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often experience sleep problems whi... more Background: Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often experience sleep problems which are long-lasting and more complex than typically developing children. These sleep problems impact their families and there is little guidance for management specifically for sleep for families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. The present study aims to use parental report to evaluate sleep disturbances and sleep patterns in a large sample of children with NDC. We aim to identify associations with age, diagnosis, and medication groups.Methods: Data on 601 children aged between 2 and 17 years was analyzed from a UK non-profit service for sleep for families of children with NDC. Parents/carers completed the children's sleep habit questionnaire, a 7 day sleep diary, and information on child age, diagnosis, and medication. Parents also reported previous sleep management techniques they had tried.Results: Overall, we found differences between age, diagnosis, and medication...
Brain Sciences
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experie... more Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience significantly higher rates of sleep disturbances than their typically developing peers. However, little is known about the association between sleep and the cognitive phenotype in these clinical populations. Structural damage affecting cortical and subcortical connectivity occurs as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure in children with FASD, whilst it is believed an abundance of short-range connectivity explains the phenotypic manifestations of childhood ASD. These underlying neural structural and connectivity differences manifest as cognitive patterns, with some shared and some unique characteristics between FASD and ASD. This is the first study to examine sleep and its association with cognition in individuals with FASD, and to compare sleep in individuals with FASD and ASD. We assessed children aged 6–12 years with a diagnosis of FASD (n = 29), ASD (n = 21), and Typically Develop...
Research in Developmental Disabilities
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Sleep plays a key role in the consolidation of newly acquired information and skills into long te... more Sleep plays a key role in the consolidation of newly acquired information and skills into long term memory. Children with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS) frequently experience sleep problems, abnormal sleep architecture, and difficulties with learning; thus, we predicted that children from these clinical populations would demonstrate impairments in sleep-dependent memory consolidation relative to children with typical development (TD) on a cognitive procedural task: The Tower of Hanoi. Children with DS (n = 17), WS (n = 22) and TD (n = 34) completed the Tower of Hanoi task. They were trained on the task either in the morning or evening, then completed it again following counterbalanced retention intervals of daytime wake and night time sleep. Children with TD and with WS benefitted from sleep for enhanced memory consolidation and improved their performance on the task by reducing the number of moves taken to completion, and by making fewer rule violations. We did not f...
Background: High levels of anxiety and sleep problems are common features of Fetal Alcohol Spectr... more Background: High levels of anxiety and sleep problems are common features of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The strong association between sleep and anxiety has been documented in typically developing (TD) populations and is thought to be bidirectional. The association between sleep and anxiety in children with FASD has not yet been examined. Methods: Caregivers of children with FASD (n=91) and TD children (n=103) aged 6-16 completed the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and a background questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses, group comparisons and ANCOVA interaction models were used to test the associations between sleep and anxiety within and between
Research has shown an association with sensorimotor integration and symptomology of Autism Spectr... more Research has shown an association with sensorimotor integration and symptomology of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Specific areas of the brain that are involved in sensorimotor integration, such as the cerebellum and basal ganglia are pathologically different in individuals with ASC in comparison to typically developing (TD) peers. These brain regions contain GABAergic inhibitory neurons that release an inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). Brain GABA levels are decreased in ASC. This study explored, for the first time, the effect of introducing a non-invasive GABA substitute, in the form of GABA Oolong tea, on the sensorimotor skills, ASC profiles, anxieties and sleep of children with ASC. Nine children took part: (5 male, 4 female). Each child participated in three tea conditions: high GABA, high L-Theanine (a compound that increases GABA), tea with low GABA content as a placebo. A double blind, repeated measures design was employed. Measures were taken after each tea condition. Sensory and ASC profiles were scored using parental questionnaires. Motor skills were assessed using a gold standard coordination assessment. Sleep was monitored using an Actiwatch and anxiety measured through cortisol assays. Subjective views were sought from parents on 'best' tea. Results showed significant improvement in manual dexterity and some large individual improvements in balance, sensory responsivity, DSM-5 criteria and cortisol levels with GABA tea. Improvements were also seen in the L-Theanine condition, although were more sporadic. These results suggest that sensorimotor abilities, anxiety levels and DSM-5 symptomology of children with ASC can benefit from the administration of GABA in the form of Oolong tea.
Archives of disease in childhood, Jan 14, 2018
Children with Down syndrome are at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and screening is r... more Children with Down syndrome are at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and screening is recommended. Diagnosis of OSA should be confirmed with multichannel sleep studies. We aimed to determine whether home pulse oximetry (HPO) discriminates children at high risk of OSA, who need further diagnostic multichannel sleep studies. Cross-sectional prospective study in a training sample recruited through three UK centres. Validation sample used single-centre retrospective analysis of clinical data. Children with Down syndrome aged 0.5-6 years. Diagnostic multichannel sleep study and HPO. Sensitivity and specificity of HPO to predict moderate-to-severe OSA. 161/202 children with Down syndrome met quality criteria for inclusion and 25 had OSA. In this training sample, the best HPO parameter predictors of OSA were the delta 12 s index >0.555 (sensitivity 92%, specificity 65%) and 3% oxyhaemoglobin (SpO) desaturation index (3% ODI)>6.15 dips/hour (sensitivity 92%, specificity 63%)...
Scientific reports, Jan 8, 2017
According to the Intuitive Belief Hypothesis, supernatural belief relies heavily on intuitive thi... more According to the Intuitive Belief Hypothesis, supernatural belief relies heavily on intuitive thinking-and decreases when analytic thinking is engaged. After pointing out various limitations in prior attempts to support this Intuitive Belief Hypothesis, we test it across three new studies using a variety of paradigms, ranging from a pilgrimage field study to a neurostimulation experiment. In all three studies, we found no relationship between intuitive or analytical thinking and supernatural belief. We conclude that it is premature to explain belief in gods as 'intuitive', and that other factors, such as socio-cultural upbringing, are likely to play a greater role in the emergence and maintenance of supernatural belief than cognitive style.
Developmental Science, 2015
A cross-syndrome study of the differential effects of sleep on declarative memory consolidation i... more A cross-syndrome study of the differential effects of sleep on declarative memory consolidation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Developmental Science , n/a-n/a.
Nigerian Medical Journal, 2014
and metabolic conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 DM. 4-7 OSA has also been shown to im... more and metabolic conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 DM. 4-7 OSA has also been shown to impact on glycaemic control among DM patients independent of the effect of obesity. 4 The postulated mechanisms of this effect include sleep fragmentation, frequent arousals, intermittent hypoxaemia and consequently, hyper-activation of sympathetic mechanisms leading to poor glucose control. 8 However, the impact of OSA among patients with type 2 diabetes is unknown and infrequently studied in developing countries where the burden of DM is substantial and increasing. 9 To the best of our knowledge, there is no study on the prevalence and predictors of OSA in patients with diabetes in Nigeria or any population of patients with diabetes in West Africa. We hypothesise that OSA is prevalent in type 2 diabetes. We aimed to describe the prevalence of OSA in type 2 DM patients using a screening questionnaire and to ascertain the predictors of a high risk of OSA after adjusting for obesity. Several epidemiologic studies have shown that OSA is independently associated with cardiovascular diseases
Journal of Sleep Research, 2013
We are grateful to all children who took part in the study and to their parents and teachers. Als... more We are grateful to all children who took part in the study and to their parents and teachers. Also the Williams Syndrome Foundation UK and Down Syndrome Education International, who funded this study as part of a larger project.
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2013
This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright
Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2014
In typically developing (TD) children, sleep problems have been associated with daytime attention... more In typically developing (TD) children, sleep problems have been associated with daytime attentional difficulties. Children with developmental disabilities often suffer with sleep and attention problems, yet their relationship is poorly understood. The present study investigated this association in school-aged children with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS). Actigraphy and pulse oximetry assessed sleep and sleep-disordered breathing respectively, and attention was tested using a novel visual Continuous Performance Task (CPT).Attentional deficits were evident in both disorder groups. In the TD group, higher scores on the CPT were related to better sleep quality, higher oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO 2), and fewer desaturation events. Sleep quality, duration, and SpO 2 variables were not related to CPT performance for children with DS and WS.
This study was funded by Down Syndrome Education International and The Williams Syndrome Foundati... more This study was funded by Down Syndrome Education International and The Williams Syndrome Foundation, UK. We thank all children and their families for taking part in the study, and the schools who granted us access. We also posthumously thank our co-author and dear friend Annette, who would have loved to see this work in print.
Sleep, 2007
Inadequate sleep and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can impair learning skills. Questionnaires ... more Inadequate sleep and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can impair learning skills. Questionnaires used to evaluate sleepiness in adults are usually inadequate for adolescents. We conducted a study to evaluate the performance of a Spanish version of the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and to assess the impact of sleepiness and SDB on academic performance. Design: A cross-sectional survey of students from 7 schools in 4 cities of Argentina. Measurements: A questionnaire with a Spanish version of the PDSS was used. Questions on the occurrence of snoring and witnessed apneas were answered by the parents. Mathematics and language grades were used as indicators of academic performance. Participants: The sample included 2,884 students (50% males; age: 13.3 ± 1.5 years) Results: Response rate was 85%; 678 cases were excluded due to missing data. Half the students slept <9 h per night on weekdays. The mean PDSS value was 15.74 ± 5.93. Parental reporting of snoring occurred in 511 subjects (23%); snoring was occasional in 14% and frequent in 9%. Apneas were witnessed in 237 cases (11%), being frequent in 4% and occasional in 7%. Frequent snorers had higher mean PDSS scores than occasional or nonsnorers (18 ± 5, 15.7 ± 6 and 15.5 ± 6, respectively; P < 0.001). Reported snoring or apneas and the PDSS were significant univariate predictors of failure and remained significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, specific school attended, and sleep habits. Conclusions: Insufficient hours of sleep were prevalent in this population. The Spanish version of the PDSS was a reliable tool in middle-schoolaged children. Reports of snoring or witnessed apneas and daytime sleepiness as measured by PDSS were independent predictors of poor academic performance.
Journal of Human Lactation
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted upon people’s psychological and physical wel... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted upon people’s psychological and physical wellbeing; however, the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on mothers of young children, with particular regard to breastfeeding, are unknown. Research Aims To explore: (1) Sources of advice and support available to breastfeeding mothers during and prior to the COVID-19 lockdown; (2) Mothers’ opinions on statements and recommendations made by the World Health Organization on the importance of breastfeeding and breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) Maternal emotional states (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms) experienced by breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown; and (4) influence of breastfeeding duration and number of children on breastfeeding opinions and emotional states. Methods Mothers of children aged 0–36 months ( N = 4018) took part in an online survey. The survey included demographic questions, as well as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and th...
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Background: Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often experience sleep problems whi... more Background: Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often experience sleep problems which are long-lasting and more complex than typically developing children. These sleep problems impact their families and there is little guidance for management specifically for sleep for families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. The present study aims to use parental report to evaluate sleep disturbances and sleep patterns in a large sample of children with NDC. We aim to identify associations with age, diagnosis, and medication groups.Methods: Data on 601 children aged between 2 and 17 years was analyzed from a UK non-profit service for sleep for families of children with NDC. Parents/carers completed the children's sleep habit questionnaire, a 7 day sleep diary, and information on child age, diagnosis, and medication. Parents also reported previous sleep management techniques they had tried.Results: Overall, we found differences between age, diagnosis, and medication...
Brain Sciences
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experie... more Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience significantly higher rates of sleep disturbances than their typically developing peers. However, little is known about the association between sleep and the cognitive phenotype in these clinical populations. Structural damage affecting cortical and subcortical connectivity occurs as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure in children with FASD, whilst it is believed an abundance of short-range connectivity explains the phenotypic manifestations of childhood ASD. These underlying neural structural and connectivity differences manifest as cognitive patterns, with some shared and some unique characteristics between FASD and ASD. This is the first study to examine sleep and its association with cognition in individuals with FASD, and to compare sleep in individuals with FASD and ASD. We assessed children aged 6–12 years with a diagnosis of FASD (n = 29), ASD (n = 21), and Typically Develop...
Research in Developmental Disabilities
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Sleep plays a key role in the consolidation of newly acquired information and skills into long te... more Sleep plays a key role in the consolidation of newly acquired information and skills into long term memory. Children with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS) frequently experience sleep problems, abnormal sleep architecture, and difficulties with learning; thus, we predicted that children from these clinical populations would demonstrate impairments in sleep-dependent memory consolidation relative to children with typical development (TD) on a cognitive procedural task: The Tower of Hanoi. Children with DS (n = 17), WS (n = 22) and TD (n = 34) completed the Tower of Hanoi task. They were trained on the task either in the morning or evening, then completed it again following counterbalanced retention intervals of daytime wake and night time sleep. Children with TD and with WS benefitted from sleep for enhanced memory consolidation and improved their performance on the task by reducing the number of moves taken to completion, and by making fewer rule violations. We did not f...