Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Disturbance of the melatonin system and its implications

[Display omitted] •Melatonin is highly correlated with ASD characterization.•Melatonin biosynthesis and metabolic pathways may be related to ASD.•The neurotransmitters in the upstream and downstream of melatonin are closely related to ASD.•Melatonin affects the signal transduction in ASD, associated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2020-10, Vol.130, p.110496-110496, Article 110496
Main Authors: Wu, Zhou-yue, Huang, Shu-dai, Zou, Jin-jun, Wang, Qin-xin, Naveed, Muhammad, Bao, Hai-nan, Wang, Wei, Fukunaga, Kohji, Han, Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Autism spectrum disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder - drug therapy
Autism Spectrum Disorder - metabolism
Circadian Rhythm
Circadian rhythms
Humans
Melatonin
Melatonin - metabolism
Neurodevelopmental
Pineal Gland - metabolism
Signal Transduction
Sleep disturbances
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Summary:[Display omitted] •Melatonin is highly correlated with ASD characterization.•Melatonin biosynthesis and metabolic pathways may be related to ASD.•The neurotransmitters in the upstream and downstream of melatonin are closely related to ASD.•Melatonin affects the signal transduction in ASD, associated with hippocampal protein and MTNR1A intracellular signaling. The molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain elusive, which limits the management options available in the clinic. Accumulating evidence indicates that the pineal gland/melatonin system is associated with the progression of ASD. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of various mechanisms involving pathological process of ASD, including the abnormal breakdown of melatonin synthesis, the disturbance of intracellular MTNR1A signaling, the effects exerted by melatonin on hippocampal protein serine/threonine kinases, and immune dysregulation/inflammation during ASD. We believe that an in-depth understanding of the interplay between the action of the melatonin system and the onset of autism could promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies against ASD. We anticipate that targeting the neurotransmitters upstream pathway and downstream of melatonin in brain will lead to potential therapeutic treatment for ASD.
ISSN:0753-3322
1950-6007
DOI:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110496