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Melatonin in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: How Does the Evidence Fit Together?

Olivia J Veatch1, Suzanne E Goldman2, Karen W Adkins1

  • 1Sleep Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

Journal of Nature and Science
|June 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience insomnia due to issues with the melatonin pathway. Genetic variations in melatonin regulation may increase the risk of sleep disorders in ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Sleep medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 68 children in the US.
  • Sleep disturbances, especially insomnia, are common in children with ASD.
  • Overlapping neurobiological and genetic factors link ASD and insomnia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review genetic variations in the melatonergic pathway and their effect on sleep disorders in children with ASD.
  • To evaluate functional findings of endogenous melatonin levels and pharmacokinetics in ASD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on ASD, insomnia, and the melatonin pathway.
  • Analysis of genetic variation in melatonin-regulating genes.
  • Evaluation of endogenous melatonin levels and pharmacokinetic data in ASD.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulation of the melatonin pathway is frequently observed in individuals with ASD.
  • Genetic variations in melatonin-related genes are implicated in ASD and sleep pattern modification.
  • The interplay between ASD, insomnia, and melatonin regulation is complex.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variations in the melatonergic pathway may influence the risk of sleep disorders in children with ASD.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between melatonin, genetics, and sleep in ASD.
  • Melatonin pathway dysregulation is a significant factor in ASD-related sleep issues.

Keywords:
Autismgeneticsinsomniapharmacokinetics

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