A study led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) found that elementary school-age children who sleep less than nine hours a night show notable structural differences in brain regions that affect memory and mental health. These differences were associated with a higher incidence of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, as well as cognitive difficulties in memory and problem-solving. The findings were published in the journal Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

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Current recommendations from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggest that children ages 6-12 should regularly get between 9 to 12 hours of sleep. Prior to this study, there had been limited research on the long-term effects of insufficient sleep on the neurocognitive development of pre-teens.

In this research, over 8,300 children aged 9-10, enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, were analyzed. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), involved MRI scans, medical records, and surveys from both children and their parents at enrollment and a follow-up visit two years later.

Corresponding author Ze Wang, PhD, a professor at UMSOM, noted that children who averaged less than nine hours of sleep exhibited less gray matter in key areas of the brain responsible for attention and memory. These distinctions remained significant after two years, raising concerns about the potential long-term effects of sleep deprivation.

The research highlighted that while those with adequate sleep gradually reduced their sleep duration as they approached adolescence, those with insufficient sleep showed little change. The team also considered various factors like socioeconomic status and puberty stage to ensure accurate comparisons.

Dr. Wang emphasized the need for further studies to confirm these findings and explore potential interventions to improve sleep among children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents prioritize good sleep habits, suggesting a regular sleep schedule, physical exercise, reduced screen time, and eliminating screens an hour before bed.

The study also involved contributions from co-authors Fan Nils Yang, PhD, and Weizhen Xie, PhD, among others. E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, from UMSOM, remarked on the importance of long-term research on child brain development and the adverse effects of inadequate sleep, particularly amid busy childhood schedules.

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, established in 1807, continues to be a leading institution in biomedical research, involved in significant contributions to clinical and academic care for millions of patients annually.