title: Melatonin in children with autistic spectrum disorders: recent and practical data.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Sainte Anne Hospital, 14 rue Cabanis, Paris, France. c.doyen@ch-sainte-anne.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doyen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mighiu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colineaux
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beaumanoir
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mouraeff
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rieu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paubel
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Contejean
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin