About

Mary A. Carskadon is a Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior with a distinguished academic and research background in sleep and circadian rhythms. She earned a BA in psychology from Gettysburg College in 1969, where she is a distinguished alumna and holds an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree. She completed her doctorate with distinction in neuro- and biobehavioral sciences at Stanford University in 1979 under the mentorship of William C. Dement, MD, PhD. Her early research with Dr. Dement led to the development of the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), a standardized measure for daytime sleep tendency that remains in widespread clinical use for diagnosing sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. A major focus of Dr. Carskadon's scientific activities has been investigating the interrelations between the circadian timing system and sleep/wake patterns of children, adolescents, and young adults. Her research has highlighted public health issues related to insufficient sleep among adolescents and has influenced education policy, prompting organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC to advocate for later school start times. Her work has contributed to legislative changes, such as California's Senate Bill 328, and discussions in other nations. She has authored numerous scientific papers, edited several books, and received numerous honors including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Sleep Foundation, the Distinguished Scientist and Outstanding Educator Awards from the Sleep Research Society, and the 2023 Brown University Distinguished Research Achievement Award. Dr. Carskadon's leadership roles include serving as the inaugural editor-in-chief of the journal SLEEP Advances and directing the NIH-funded EP Bradley Hospital COBRE Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, which aims to support pediatric sleep and mental health research, mentorship, and the development of clinical scientists.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Psychology
• Physiology
• Pediatrics
• Developmental psychology
• Biology
• Neuroscience

Selected publications

• Adolescent sleep health: Recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation

  Sleep Health · 2026-02-21

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The impact of a sleep extension intervention on child health-related quality of life

  Sleep Medicine · 2026-05-12

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Preliminary evidence of brain and behavioral consequences of sleep loss in children and their association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder traits

  SLEEP · 2025-04-03 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• So Long, <i>SLEEP Advances</i>…

  SLEEP Advances · 2025-01-01

  editorialOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 0021 Association of Phase Preference to Circadian Phase and Sleep Onset in Preteens and Teenagers

  SLEEP · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Introduction Phase preference (PP) measures include several questionnaires, the utility of which may vary with age. Here, we undertake a secondary analysis (Crowley et al., 2014) of PP questionnaires in preteens and teenagers to evaluate associations with circadian phase and sleep patterns. Methods The preteens comprised 44 adolescents (ages 9&amp;10, 19F); teenage cohort includes 74 adolescents (ages 15&amp;16, 34F). PP measures included: Carskadon et al. (1993, Owl), Smith et al. (1989, Smith), and Horne Östberg (1976, HOQ). Preteens completed all three PP measures (Owl, n=43; Smith, n=41; HOQ, n=35); teenagers completed HOQ (n=48) and Smith (n=73). Self-selected sleep-wake schedules at home were monitored via actigraphy for all participants. Sleep onset (SO) was estimated with standard scoring procedures (Acebo et al. 1999). At week’s end, dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) phase was measured from saliva samples. Thirty-eight preteens and 56 teenagers completed questionnaires, actigraphy, and DLMO. Results Correlations among PP scores were strong in preteens (Owl vs. Smith r=.690, p&amp;lt;.001; Smith vs. HOQ r=.660, p&amp;lt;.001; Owl vs. HOQ r=.418, p=.012) and teenagers (Smith vs. HOQ r=.784, p&amp;lt;.001). PP scores were not correlated with DLMO phase for preteens or teenagers, though HOQ showed a trend (r= -.25, p=.090) with the teenagers. In preteens, PP was not correlated with SO, whereas both Smith (r= -.34, p=.012) and HOQ (r= -.46, p&amp;lt;.001) were correlated with SO in teenagers. Conclusion PP measures completed by preteens did not correlate with DLMO phase or SO; however, in teenagers, HOQ achieved near significant correlation with DLMO phase, and both PP measures were correlated with SO in the teens. These findings indicate that PP scores in teenagers may be more highly reflective of sleep pattern than circadian phase. Further, we conclude that age-related differences in PP ratings reflect different biobehavioral signals in preteens compared to teenagers. Finally, because of the stronger association of Owl to Smith than to HOQ, we suggest the Smith PP scale may be preferred for use in preteens. Support (if any) R01AA013252; P20GM139743

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 0355 Weapon-Carrying in US High Schools Is Associated with Insufficient Sleep: 2009-2023

  SLEEP · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Introduction Most United States (US) high schools prohibit the possession of weapons on school property and consider weapon-carrying as misconduct. Insufficient sleep is associated with impulsivity, lack of self-control, and other adverse emotional and mental health outcomes, which may contribute to risk-taking behaviors. The role of sleep in influencing risk-taking behaviors, such as weapon carrying, among adolescents has been underexplored. We examined whether insufficient sleep on school days was associated with the risk of teenagers carrying weapons at school. Furthermore, we explored whether race/ethnicity would modify this association. Methods The study utilized repeated cross-sectional data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Survey (YRBSS, 2009-2023) from nationally representative samples of high school students ages 16-18 (n=88,044). Weighted multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association of self-reported insufficient sleep (&amp;lt; 8 hours/night on school days) with weapon carrying on school properties (the dependent variable), adjusting for survey years and sociodemographic variables (age, biological sex, and race/ethnicity). Race/ethnicity was further explored as an effect modification to identify subgroup differences in this association. Adjusted Wald test was used to assess the statistical significance of effect modification. All descriptive and regression analyses accounted for the YRBSS complex survey design. Results An estimated 5% of high school students reported carrying weapons on school property. Seven in ten teenagers (70%) reported sleeping less than eight hours. Insufficient sleep (&amp;lt; 8 hours) was associated with greater odds of carrying weapons on school property (AOR: 1.14; 95% [CI: 1.02; 1.27]). More specifically, reported sleep for 4 hours/night (8.4% of participants) tripled the odds of weapons-carrying (AOR: 3.14; 95% CI: 2.67; 3.70]. Although the odds of weapon-carrying were greater among American-Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander adolescents (AOR: 1.76; [1.07; 2.91] and 2.04 [1.19; 3.48]) than among their White peers, the association between insufficient sleep (&amp;lt; 8 hours) and weapon-carrying was not modified by race/ethnicity F(6,536) = 0.57; p=0.76). Conclusion Findings underscore the potential risks associated with having sleep-deprived students on school property. Policies that promote sufficient sleep during school days (e.g., later school start time) could help mitigate some of the risks of carrying weapons to school. Support (if any) NIGMS grant #P20GM139743.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 0266 Sleep Restriction, Academic-Oriented Performance, and ADHD Severity in Adolescents

  SLEEP · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Introduction Adolescents experience insufficient sleep that may impact academic performance. Youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of sleep loss. By leveraging ecologically relevant tests of math and language arts, we investigated how sleep restriction affects academic performance in children differing in ADHD symptoms. Methods Fifty-seven adolescents from R01HD103665 provided usable data (27M; age: 11.6±1.04yrs, range: 10-15yrs) and were grouped by ADHD symptoms on the Conners-3-Parent ADHD Index Probability score as high (ADHDy; ≥50%ile; n=25) or low (ADHDn; &amp;lt; 50%ile; n=32). All completed online quizzes featuring standardized-test math and language questions (prior grade-level) during two counterbalanced conditions: 5 nights of sleep optimization (10h TIB) and 5 nights of sleep restriction (7.5h TIB, equally delaying bedtime and advancing risetime). Quizzes were given in the afternoon after 1, 3, and 5 nights of each condition graded from 0-8 correct answers. We examined performance on days 1 and 5 and the change from day 1 to 5. All analyses used 2x2 ANOVAs modeling effects of group (ADHDy vs. ADHDn) and condition (restriction vs. optimization). Results For performance on Days 1 and 5, we found no significant main effects or interactions (all p’s&amp;gt;=.09, ηp²’s=&amp;lt;.07), and a trending main-effect of group at Day 1. With respect to change in performance (Day 5 - Day 1), we found a significant main-effect of condition (F(1,41)=4.30, p=.04, ηp²=.09), such change in performance during the restriction condition (0.68±0.24 points) was higher overall than during the optimization condition (-0.03±0.3 points), and a trending main-effect of group (F(1,41)=3.73, p=.06, ηp²=.08), but no condition-x-group interaction (F(1,41)=0.01; p=.92; ηp²=.00). Post-hoc tests indicated performance in the ADHDy group increased from Day 1 to 5 during sleep restriction (1.10±1.58 points; t(20)=-3.18; p=.01; d=1.58) but not during sleep optimization (.09±2.24 points; t(22)=-0.19; p=.85; d=-.039). ADHDn group performance did not change across either condition (p’s &amp;gt;.23). Conclusion These analyses examine whether ADHD symptoms moderate the impact of 5-nights of insufficient sleep on academic performance. We identify paradoxical improvements across sleep restriction but only in youth with high ADHD symptoms. We will next examine how compensatory factors such as hypervigilance may explain these results. Support (if any) R01HD103655 (JMS); P20GM139743 (MAC).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Definitions and Basic Methods for Assessing Sleep

  2025-04-01 · 2 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract From worms to humans, sleep is a fundamental behavior sharing many features that can be evaluated with six behavioral criteria: (1) behavioral quiescence, (2) stereotypic, species-specific posture, (3) elevated threshold for arousal, (4) rapid waking with moderately intense stimulation, (5) homeostatic regulation, (6) predictable occurrence. For example, C. elegans research has tested each of these criteria, and sleep is a confirmed behavior. Description of human sleep is fairly complex and its measurement has a long history, with the “modern” era dating to the late nineteenth century with the first use of electroencephalography (EEG), one of the three basic measures required for polysomnography (PSG). The other PSG measures are electrooculography (EOG) and electromyography (EMG). These three measures enable description of the states and stages of sleep in birds and mammals, including humans. Sleep states include NREM (non–rapid eye movement) and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, and NREM sleep is further defined with three stages, N1, N2, and N3. The predictable unfolding of sleep across the night provides a clear basal perspective on nominal human sleep. An overview of sleep assessment with wearable technology concludes with a brief discussion.

  PublisherDOI

• The effects of experimental sleep disruption on daytime performance among children with asthma living in urban environments

  Sleep Health · 2025-01-20 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 0360 Associations of Sleep and Oral Microbiome Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States

  SLEEP · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Introduction The human mouth is densely colonized by microbial species. Evidence suggests reduced microbial diversity has been associated with chronic physical and mental health conditions; however, most of these small-scale studies have implicated the gut microbiome and involved children or adults. We examined associations of oral microbiome diversity with self-reported sleep duration among a representative sample of adolescents and young adults ages 16-26 years in the United States. Methods This study used cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011-2012). Outcome variables: Oral microbiome alpha (α) diversity measures of richness and evenness: (1) Observed operational taxonomic units (OTU), (2) Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (FPD), (3) Shannon-Weiner index (SWI), and (4) Inverse Simpson index (ISI). Sleep exposure variables: self-reported sleep hours on weekdays or school/work days were categorized as very short, short, healthy, and long sleep according to AASM recommendations. Four separate Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were fitted to the sample to investigate associations between each α diversity measure and sleep duration, controlling for covariates. All descriptive and regression analyses adjusted for NHANES complex survey design. Results The sample included 1,332 participants, of whom 463 were ages 16-18 years, and 869 were ages 19-26 years. The mean age was 20.9 years, and 50.4% were females. Five in ten teenagers (50.6%) reported the recommended hours of sleep (8-10 hrs), while six in ten young adults (61.2%) had the recommended hours of sleep (7-9 hrs). OTU mean was 128.0 [95% CI:122.35–133.64]; FPD mean was 14.24 [13.87–14.62]; SWI mean was 4.61 [4.54–4.67]; and ISI mean was 0.90 [0.89–0.90]. Findings from GLM estimates showed that compared to those with healthy sleep duration, teenagers and young adults with long sleep duration (3% of participants) had significantly higher oral microbiome diversity, according to OTU, FPD, and SWI indicators: 43.0 [22.3–63.72]; 2.96 [1.16–4.76]; and 0.64 [0.07–1.21], respectively. No significant association was found between ISI and self-reported sleep duration. Conclusion Oral microbiome diversity is positively associated with longer sleep duration among teenagers and young adults. Further research needs to determine the potential mechanisms behind the associations observed in this study. Support (if any) NIGMS grant #P20GM139743.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01AA013252

  NIH · $3.6M · 2007

• COBRE Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health

  NIH · $17.9M · 2021–2027

• Serial Nights of Alcohol Administration: Impact on Sleep and Next-Day Neurocognitive Function and Alertness

  NIH · $2.3M · 2017–2023

• NIH Grant R01MH045945

  NIH · $1.9M · 2002

• NIH Grant R01MH079179

  NIH · $2.9M · 2014

Frequent coauthors

• Christine Acebo

  Brown University

  205 shared

• Eliza Van Reen

  Bradley Hospital

  201 shared

• Leila Tarokh

  Universitäre Psychiatrische Dienste Bern

  164 shared

• David Barker

  Providence College

  161 shared

• Ronald Seifer

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  152 shared

• Brandy M. Roane

  Brown University

  136 shared

• Jared M. Saletin

  Brown University

  129 shared

• Katherine M. Sharkey

  Providence College

  116 shared

Education

• B.A.

  Gettysburg College

  1969

• Ph.D., neuro- and biobehavioral sciences

  Stanford University

  1979

Awards & honors

• Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Sleep Foundation
• Distinguished Scientist and Outstanding Educator Awards of t…
• 2023 Brown University Distinguished Research Achievement Awa…
• 2023 William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award of the Ame…
• V. Sagar Sethi, M.D., Mental Health Research Award of the Ps…