Correlation between 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, sleep disorders and inflammatory cytokines in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Grant number: 11/15713-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Pinato
• Grantee: Cintia Cristina Fadini
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências (FFC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Marília. Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), a group of hereditary diseases of unknown etiology has a complex picture of symptoms that often includes severe disorders in the sleep wake cycle, both in children and young adults. These individuals also exhibit behavioral changes, mood instability and deficits in neurocognitive functions, which can be directly or indirectly correlated with the immune response and / or sleep problems. Melatonin, a hormone produced mainly by the pineal gland during the dark phase has a chronobiological function like a agent that traduces environmental photoperiodic information. This molecule has broad spectrum of functions that include also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions as well as improvement of dendritic stability. Its production, controlled by the suprachiasmatic nuclei is modulated by light-dark cycle and also by molecules that signaling inflammation. The investigation of melatonin in cases of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) correlated with sleep-wake and levels of proinflammatory cytokines will contribute to a better understanding of the role of this molecule as a potential pharmacological agent in this process. In this project we aimed to characterize the sleep-wake behavior and ASD using the Sleep Disorders Scale for Children (Bruni et al, 1996) and Child Behavior Checklist - CBCL (Achenbach, 1991). Moreover, we aimed to establish the molecular basis of these dysfunctions, investigating melatonin production and levels of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with ASD measuring these molecules in blood and urine by HPLC, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and ELISA.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FADINI, CINTIA C.; LAMONICA, DIONSIA A.; FETT-CONTE, AGNES C.; OSORIO, ELAINE; ZUCULO, GABRIELA M.; GIACHETI, CELIA M.; PINATO, LUCIANA. Influence of sleep disorders on the behavior of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE, v. 9, JUN 18 2015. Web of Science Citations: 16.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FADINI, Cintia Cristina. Correlação entre 6-sulfatoximelatonina, distúrbios do sono e citocinas inflamatórias em Transtornos do espectro do autismo (TEA). 2013. 91 f. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista. Faculdade de Ciências e Letras de Marília..