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Association of sunlight intensity with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and interactions with pharmacological treatment: A cross-sectional approach.








Association of sunlight intensity with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and interactions with pharmacological treatment: A cross-sectional approach.


Martijn Arns


Research Institute Brainclinics, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsUtrecht University, Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht, The Netherlands






17 September 2018


In previous studies we have reported on an association between lower prevalence of ADHD in geographical areas with high sunlight intensity (e.g. California, Spain) relative to areas characterized by low sunlight intensity (e.g. New York, The Netherlands, Germany). A large proportion of ADHD patients have difficulties falling asleep, related to a delayed biological clock (circadian clock), and such sleep problems could worsen attention in ADHD patients. The protective effect of high sunlight intensity are thus hypothesized to be related to the effects of intense sunlight at daytime on the biological clock, whereby the late chronotype (delayed circadian phase) normalizes and less inattentive issues are observed. We have now replicated this effect in 5 different datasets, using a geographical case-control approach focused on ADHD diagnoses. However, this effect has not been demonstrated yet on the individual symptom level using a cross-sectional approach. The first objective of this proposal is to relate the level of sunlight intensity (based on geographical location and date) to baseline levels of inattention and impulsivity/hyperactivity. In addition, many medications could potentially interact with the circadian system, hence the second objective is to investigate the interactions between sunlight intensity (or change) and the pharmacological treatment conducted.



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Statistical Analysis Plan