A comparative study of circadian rhythm functioning and sleep in people with Asperger syndrome

The circadian rhythm functioning and sleep patterns Of KEYWORDS 10 adults with Asperger syndrome were investigated using actigraphy. Asperger When compared with data from neurotypical adults, both statistical syndrome; and clinically significant differences were found between the two circadian groups, with the adults with Asperger syndrome showing marked rhythms; abnormalities in both the quantity and the quality of sleep recorded. sleep Examination of the actigraphic data indicated low sleep efficiency and high fragmentation as being characteristic of the sleep of participants with Asperger syndrome. These individuals also showed lower-amplitude circadian rhythms that were less strongly linked to environmental synchronizers, but no evidence of significant desynchronization of circadian rhythm. Possible mechanisms for these abnormalities and implications for clinical practice are discussed.