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Paditz E, Renner B, Koch R, Schneider BM, Schlarb AA, Ipsiroglu OS. The Pharmacokinetics, Dosage, Preparation Forms, and Efficacy of Orally Administered Melatonin for Non-Organic Sleep Disorders in Autism Spectrum Disorder During Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025; 12:648. [PMID: 40426828 PMCID: PMC12110111 DOI: 10.3390/children12050648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2025] [Revised: 04/29/2025] [Accepted: 05/10/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
Background: To date, it remains unclear which oral doses and preparation forms of melatonin should be recommended for children and adolescents with non-organic sleep disorders and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We reviewed the current state of knowledge on this topic based on randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) and diagnosis-related blood melatonin concentrations available in this age group. Method: Two investigators independently searched PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Cochrane CENTRAL on 1 March 2025 for the keywords "melatonin", "autism", and "randomised" in titles and abstracts in all languages, including an evaluation of the references of the reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published up to that date, some of which were based on searches in numerous databases. Based on this, additional in-depth searches were carried out in PubMed for pharmacokinetic, physiological, and pathophysiological data on melatonin in children and adolescents, with a special focus on ASD. Results: To date, five RCTs on non-organic sleep disorders in children and adolescents with the sole diagnosis of ASD or with subgroup analyses in the presence of several initial diagnoses such as ADHD, epilepsy, Smith-Magenis, or Fragile X syndrome are available. In these studies, rapid-release, non-delayed preparations were administered orally. In one of these studies, the clinical efficacy of a combination preparation with a sustained-release and a non-released active substance component was tested. Pharmacokinetic data with multiple determinations of melatonin concentrations in the blood are only available for children with ASD in the form of a case series (N = 9). Discussion: RCTs comparing the efficacy of delayed melatonin preparations with non-delayed rapid-release oral preparations are not yet available. Physiological data and clinical effects documented in five RCTs indicate that non-delayed melatonin preparations with an initial rapid onset of action are effective for non-organic sleep disorders in children and adolescents with ASD. Conclusions: From a clinical, pharmacokinetic, and physiological point of view, the RCTs available to date and the data on melatonin concentrations in the blood of children with ASD, measured several times over 24 h, suggest that a low oral melatonin dose and a non-delayed preparation with rapid onset should be started in children and adolescents with non-organic sleep disorders in ASD, if sleep hygiene advice and psychotherapeutic interventions have not demonstrated sufficient effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekkehart Paditz
- Centre for Applied Prevention/Zentrum für Angewandte Prävention, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Bertold Renner
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Rainer Koch
- Formerly Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | | | - Angelika A. Schlarb
- Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany;
| | - Osman S. Ipsiroglu
- Interdisciplinary Sleep Program, Sleep/Wake-Behaviour Clinic, Departments of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
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Radoeva PD, Li EA, Legere CH, Saletin JM, Philip NS, Dickstein DP. Estimated Nutrient Intake and Association With Psychiatric and Sleep Problems in Autistic Youth in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development SM Study. Autism Res 2025. [PMID: 40329546 DOI: 10.1002/aur.70040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2025] [Revised: 04/03/2025] [Accepted: 04/07/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025]
Abstract
Autistic children often consume less varied diets, experience sleep difficulties, and have higher rates of mental health problems as compared to neurotypical peers. Yet, the direct relationship between all of these domains is not well characterized. We leveraged the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM study (ABCD study) dataset to explore whether estimated levels of consumption of specific macro- and micronutrients correlated with the severity of mental health and sleep problems in autistic youth. We found that low vitamin B3, B6, C, and iron intake was associated with more severe psychiatric problems in autistic children in the ABCD cohort, though these findings did not reach statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. In a post hoc analysis, we found that the severity of sleep difficulties was correlated with estimated levels of Vitamins B3, B6, C, and iron intake and with the severity of anxiety/depressive symptoms and/or thought problems. Our analysis on a large number of nutrients, psychiatric symptoms, and sleep serves as an exploratory, initial analysis to identify specific nutrients and psychiatric symptoms that could be the focus of future (confirmatory) studies on the relationship between nutrition, sleep, and mental health in autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petya D Radoeva
- Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Li
- Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Christopher H Legere
- Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jared M Saletin
- Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Noah S Philip
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Daniel P Dickstein
- PediMIND Program, Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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Fahey JW, Liu H, Batt H, Panjwani AA, Tsuji P. Sulforaphane and Brain Health: From Pathways of Action to Effects on Specific Disorders. Nutrients 2025; 17:1353. [PMID: 40284217 PMCID: PMC12030691 DOI: 10.3390/nu17081353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2025] [Revised: 04/09/2025] [Accepted: 04/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025] Open
Abstract
The brain accounts for about 2% of the body's weight, but it consumes about 20% of the body's energy at rest, primarily derived from ATP produced in mitochondria. The brain thus has a high mitochondrial density in its neurons because of its extensive energy demands for maintaining ion gradients, neurotransmission, and synaptic activity. The brain is also extremely susceptible to damage and dysregulation caused by inflammation (neuroinflammation) and oxidative stress. Many systemic challenges to the brain can be mitigated by the phytochemical sulforaphane (SF), which is particularly important in supporting mitochondrial function. SF or its biogenic precursor glucoraphanin, from broccoli seeds or sprouts, can confer neuroprotective and cognitive benefits via diverse physiological and biochemical mechanisms. SF is able to cross the blood-brain barrier as well as to protect it, and it mitigates the consequences of destructive neuroinflammation. It also protects against the neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants, combats the tissue and cell damage wrought by advanced glycation end products (detoxication), and supports healthy glucose metabolism. These effects are applicable to individuals of all ages, from the developing brains in periconception and infancy, to cognitively, developmentally, and traumatically challenged brains, to those in later life as well as those who are suffering with multiple chronic conditions including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed W. Fahey
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- iMIND Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Institute of Medicine, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Hua Liu
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Holly Batt
- Anti-AGEs Foundation, Depew, NY 14043, USA;
| | - Anita A. Panjwani
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Petra Tsuji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA;
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Agrawal S, Rath C, Rao S, Whitehouse A, Patole S. Critical Appraisal of Systematic Reviews Assessing Gut Microbiota and Effect of Probiotic Supplementation in Children with ASD-An Umbrella Review. Microorganisms 2025; 13:545. [PMID: 40142438 PMCID: PMC11946400 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13030545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2025] [Revised: 02/26/2025] [Accepted: 02/26/2025] [Indexed: 03/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Given the significance of gut microbiota in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we aimed to assess the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) of studies assessing gut microbiota and effects of probiotic supplementation in children with ASD. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to November 2024. We included SRs of randomised or non-randomized studies reporting on gut microbiota or effects of probiotics in children with ASD. A total of 48 SRs (probiotics: 21, gut microbiota: 27) were included. The median (IQR) number of studies and participants was 7 (5) and 328 (362), respectively, for SRs of probiotic intervention studies and 18 (18) and 1083 (1201), respectively, for SRs of gut microbiota studies in children with ASD. The quality of included SRs was low (probiotics: 12, gut microbiota: 14) to critically low (probiotics: 9, gut microbiota: 13) due to lack of reporting of critical items including prior registration, deviation from protocol, and risk of bias assessment of included studies. Assuring robust methodology and reporting of future studies is important for generating robust evidence in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Agrawal
- Neonatal Directorate, KEM Hospital for Women, Perth, WA 6008, Australia; (S.A.); (C.R.)
| | - Chandra Rath
- Neonatal Directorate, KEM Hospital for Women, Perth, WA 6008, Australia; (S.A.); (C.R.)
| | - Shripada Rao
- Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Andrew Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Sanjay Patole
- Neonatal Directorate, KEM Hospital for Women, Perth, WA 6008, Australia; (S.A.); (C.R.)
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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