Associations Between Social Responsiveness and Sleep Disruption are Modulated by Chronotype in Early Adolescence: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Findings from 10,108 Participants of the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study

The study examined the relationship between autistic traits and sleep disruption in 10,108 children in the US as part of the longitudinal ABCD study. Autistic traits were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale at age 11, while sleep disruption was assessed at ages 11 and 13 years. Researchers found a statistically significant association between social responsiveness and sleep disruption that was independent of sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and anxiety or depression. This association was stronger in individuals with an evening chronotype. The findings suggest that sleep disruption and circadian rhythm disturbances may play a primary role in the neurobiological mechanisms associated with autistic traits.