Assessing the Dim Light Melatonin Onset in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and No Comorbid Intellectual Disability

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2017 Apr 27

PMID 28444476

Citations 11

Authors

Emma K Baker

Amanda L Richdale

Agnes Hazi

Luke A Prendergast

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study assessed melatonin levels and the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and also investigated the relationships between melatonin and objectively measured sleep parameters. Sixteen adults with ASD (ASD-Only), 12 adults with ASD medicated for comorbid diagnoses of anxiety and/or depression (ASD-Med) and 32 controls participated in the study. Although, the timing of the DLMO did not differ between the two groups, advances and delays of the melatonin rhythm were observed in individual profiles. Overall mean melatonin levels were lower in the ASD-Med group compared to the two other groups. Lastly, greater increases in melatonin in the hour prior to sleep were associated with greater sleep efficiency in the ASD groups.

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