Advances in the research of melatonin in autism spectrum disorders: literature review and new perspectives.

Sylvie Tordjman (1, 2) , Imen Najjar (1) , Eric Bellissant (3, 4) , George M Anderson (5, 6) , Marianne Barbu‐roth (2) , David Cohen (7) , Nemat Jaafari (8) , Olivier Schischmanoff (9, 10) , Rémi Fagard (9, 10) , Enas Lagdas (1) , Solenn Kermarrec (1) , Sophie Ribardiere (1) , Michel Botbol (11) , Claire Fougerou (3, 4) , Guillaume Bronsard (12) , Julie Vernay-Leconte (1)

1 Service Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent
2 LPP - UMR 8242 - Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception
3 CIC - Centre d'Investigation Clinique [Rennes]
4 Service de Pharmacologie [Rennes]
5 Laboratory of Developmental Neurochemistry
6 Department of Laboratory Medicine
7 CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière [AP-HP]
8 CIC 1402 - CIC Poitiers – Centre d'investigation clinique de Poitiers
9 ASIH - Adaptateurs de signalisation en hématologie
10 Service de biochimie et biologie moléculaire
11 Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent
12 SPMC - Santé Publique et maladies Chroniques : Qualité de vie Concepts, Usages et Limites, Déterminants

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.

Mots clés: melatonin; biological clocks; circadian rhythm; synchrony; autism spectrum disorders; social communication; stereotyped behaviors

Domaines: Pédiatrie

Sylvie Tordjman, Imen Najjar, Eric Bellissant, George M Anderson, Marianne Barbu‐roth, et al.. Advances in the research of melatonin in autism spectrum disorders: literature review and new perspectives.. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2013, 14 (10), pp.20508-42. ⟨10.3390/ijms141020508⟩. ⟨hal-00933211⟩