Melatonin in children with autistic spectrum disorders: recent and practical data.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review pharmacokinetic knowledge on melatonin and present results from recent studies on its use for sleep disorders in autism, including its impact on children with ASD.
Results Summary
The study found that melatonin has been investigated for its usefulness in treating sleep disturbances in ASD, with altered melatonin levels detected in subgroups of ASD subjects. Hypotheses suggest dysfunctional melatonin synthesis may increase ASD risk and severity.
Population
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) evaluated in a Diagnostic Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Paris, France.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | neutral | autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | - | - | implicated | #1 |
- | neutral | melatonin levels | subgroups of subjects with ASD | - | altered | #2 |
melatonin | neutral | sleep disturbances | - | - | effect on | #3 |
melatonin administration | neutral | this disorder | - | - | usefulness and safety | #4 |
dysfunctional synthesis and secretion of melatonin | increase | ASD | subgroups of subjects with ASD | - | increase the risk | #5 |
dysfunctional synthesis and secretion of melatonin | increase | severity of ASD | subgroups of subjects with ASD | - | increase | #6 |
melatonin | neutral | sleep disorders in autism | - | - | treatment with | #7 |
melatonin prescription | neutral | - | children with ASD | - | impact of | #8 |
Over the last 20 years, melatonin, a pineal hormone synthesized from serotonin, has been implicated in various studies on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and altered melatonin levels were detected in subgroups of subjects with ASD. Its effect on sleep disturbances got the attention of clinicians and several investigations were carried out to determine the usefulness and safety of melatonin administration in this disorder. Hypotheses were also raised regarding the possibility that the dysfunctional synthesis and secretion of melatonin detected in subgroups of subjects with ASD may increase the risk as well the severity of ASD. The purpose of this paper is to review our pharmacokinetic knowledge on melatonin and present results from recent studies on sleep disorders in autism, their treatment with melatonin and the impact of melatonin prescription in children with ASD evaluated in a Diagnostic Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Paris, France.