ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2021
Melatonin: From Pharmacokinetics to Clinical Use in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 42 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
42 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 85 citations in OpenAlex.
- Prophylactic effect of exogenous melatonin and melatonin receptor agonists on postoperative delirium in elderly patients: a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2023Pooled it
- Melatonin beyond chronobiology: integrating pharmacokinetics, dose-exposure forecasting, and clinical evidence.Molecular biology reports · 2026Review
- Melatonin in Clinical Practice: Grey Zones Between Chronobiology, Insomnia and Consumer Supplementation.Clocks & sleep · 2026Article
- Pineal gland senescence: an emerging ageing-related pathology?Hormones (Athens, Greece) · 2026Review
- Overcoming Biological Barriers: A Comprehensive Review of Advanced Melatonin Delivery Systems for Therapeutic Applications.International journal of medical sciences · 2026Review
- The effects of sleep disturbances on patients receiving methadone treatment for opioid use disorder: cortical thickness evidence.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Gut microbiota in genetic diseases: from Mendelian disorders to complex traits.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Association between fish consumption and sleep disorders among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study.Annals of medicine · 2025Article
- Melatonin Improves Intestinal Barrier Impairment in a Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder.Biology · 2025Article
- Melatonin receptor 1a alleviates sleep fragmentation-aggravated testicular injury in T2DM by suppression of TAB1/TAK1 complex through FGFR1.Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B · 2025Article
- 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) · 2025Review
- Diverse Physiological Roles of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites: Updated Implications for Health and Disease.Metabolites · 2025Review
- Pharmacological treatment in autism: a proposal for guidelines on common co-occurring psychiatric symptoms.BMC medicine · 2025Review
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Melatonin in Secondary Traumatic Brain Injury.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- The Detoxification Effects of Melatonin on Aflatoxin-Caused Toxic Effects and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Melatonin and Vascular Function.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- The Vital Role of Melatonin and Its Metabolites in the Neuroprotection and Retardation of Brain Aging.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Sleep Problems, Circadian Rhythms, and Their Relation to Behavioral Difficulties in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disorders · 2024Article
- Chitosan modified with PAP as a promising delivery system for melatonin in the treatment of osteoporosis: targeting the divalent metal transporter 1.Journal of biological engineering · 2024Article
- Therapeutic potential of melatonin in targeting molecular pathways of organ fibrosis.Pharmacological reports : PR · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
13 authors at 7 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The role of melatonin has been extensively investigated in pathophysiological conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reduced melatonin secretion has been reported in ASD and led to many clinical trials using immediate-release and prolonged-release oral formulations of melatonin. However, melatonin's effects in ASD and the choice of formulation type require further study. Therapeutic benefits of melatonin on sleep disorders in ASD were observed, notably on sleep latency and sleep quality. Importantly, melatonin may also have a role in improving autistic behavioral impairments. The objective of this article is to review factors influencing treatment response and possible side effects following melatonin administration. It appears that the effects of exposure to exogenous melatonin are dependent on age, sex, route and time of administration, formulation type, dose, and association with several substances (such as tobacco or contraceptive pills). In addition, no major melatonin-related adverse effect was described in typical development and ASD. In conclusion, melatonin represents currently a well-validated and tolerated treatment for sleep disorders in children and adolescents with ASD. A more thorough consideration of factors influencing melatonin pharmacokinetics could illuminate the best use of melatonin in this population. Future studies are required in ASD to explore further dose-effect relationships of melatonin on sleep problems and autistic behavioral impairments.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.