American researchers have discovered that sleep patterns during adolescence may be linked to brain function and could predict the risk of future behavioral problems. The study was published in the journal Brain and Behavior (B&B).

The scientists analyzed data from 2,800 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) project, with an average age of around 12. For three weeks, the children wore fitness trackers that recorded the duration and quality of their sleep. They also underwent resting-state brain MRI scans, and their parents were surveyed about the teens’ behavior.

The analysis showed that sleep disturbances were associated with changes in the so-called default mode network — a brain system active during rest and self-reflection. Adolescents who slept less than the recommended amount tended to have reduced connectivity within this network and increased connections with other brain systems responsible for attention.

A year later, these participants were more likely to exhibit externalizing behavioral problems — such as aggression, impulsivity, and difficulties with self-control. However, no link was found with internalizing problems such as anxiety or depression.

The authors note that sleep duration and sleep efficiency affect the brain in different ways, and the identified neural patterns may form long before symptoms appear. They suggest that improving sleep could be one way to prevent behavioral disorders in adolescents.