Advances in the Research of Melatonin in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Literature Review and New Perspectives

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Sylvie Tordjman³  Imen Najjar³  Eric Bellissant¹  George M. Anderson⁵  Marianne Barburoth⁴  David Cohen⁶  Nemat Jaafari²  Olivier Schischmanoff⁸  Rémi Fagard⁸  Enas Lagdas³  Solenn Kermarrec³  Sophie Ribardiere³  Michel Botbol⁷  Claire Fougerou¹  Guillaume Bronsard⁹ 

[1] Inserm CIC 0203 Clinical Investigation Centre, University Hospital, Rennes 1 University, Rennes 35033, France; E-Mails:;CIC INSERM U 802, CHU de Poitiers, Unité de recherche clinique intersectorielle en psychiatrie du Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit, Poitiers 86022, France; E-Mail:;Hospital-University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Guillaume Régnier Hospital, Rennes 1 University, Rennes 35000, France; E-Mails:;Laboratory of Psychology of Perception, CNRS UMR 8158, Paris 75270, France; E-Mail:;Laboratory of Developmental Neurochemistry, Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; E-Mail:;Hospital-University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-SalpétrièreHospital, Paris 6 University, Paris 75013, France; E-Mail:;Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent de Brest, UBO, Brest 29238, France; E-Mail:;INSERM UMR U978, University of Paris 13, Bobigny 93009, France; E-Mails:;Maison Départementale de l’Adolescent et Centre Médico-Psycho-Pédagogique, Conseil Général des Bouches-du-Rhône; Laboratoire de Santé Publique EA3279, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille 13256, France; E-Mail:

关键词: melatonin;    biological clocks;    circadian rhythm;    synchrony;    autism spectrum disorders;    social communication;    stereotyped behaviors;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms141020508

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Abnormalities in melatonin physiology may be involved or closely linked to the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of autistic disorder, given its role in neurodevelopment and reports of sleep-wake rhythm disturbances, decreased nocturnal melatonin production, and beneficial therapeutic effects of melatonin in individuals with autism. In addition, melatonin, as a pineal gland hormone produced from serotonin, is of special interest in autistic disorder given reported alterations in central and peripheral serotonin neurobiology. More specifically, the role of melatonin in the ontogenetic establishment of circadian rhythms and the synchronization of peripheral oscillators opens interesting perspectives to ascertain better the mechanisms underlying the significant relationship found between lower nocturnal melatonin excretion and increased severity of autistic social communication impairments, especially for verbal communication and social imitative play. In this article, first we review the studies on melatonin levels and the treatment studies of melatonin in autistic disorder. Then, we discuss the relationships between melatonin and autistic behavioral impairments with regard to social communication (verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction), and repetitive behaviors or interests with difficulties adapting to change. In conclusion, we emphasize that randomized clinical trials in autism spectrum disorders are warranted to establish potential therapeutic efficacy of melatonin for social communication impairments and stereotyped behaviors or interests.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland