Sleep and disorders of sleep in people with mental retardation
Espie CA.
Mental retardation represents a small and neglected corner of sleep medicine. However, disruption of sleep architecture and of sleep-wake rhythms appears to be common in this population, particularly in those with severe underlying brain damage. A number of recent papers advance our understanding of sleep processes, of the relationship between sleep and daytime function, and of intervention strategies, particularly of a nonpharmacological nature. The present review analyses this recent work and identifies some research priorities for the future. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.