Autism Spectrum Disorder patients may be susceptible to COVID-19 disease due to deficiency in melatonin

Abstract

Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may be particularly prone to develop COVID-19. An unusual extended course of COVID-19 disease illness has been reported in one ASD patient and a group of patients have COVID-19 disease in a neurodevelopmental facility. It has been widely reported that many of those with ASD have substantial sleep disorders with low levels of melatonin and various genetic alterations related to melatonin production have been found. Several lines of evidence point to a substantial role of melatonin in the body's innate defense system including acting as a scavenger, an antioxidant and modulating the immune system. We therefore hypothesize that melatonin deficiency may predispose those ASD patients who have low melatonin output to COVID-19 disease. Potential implications for treatment are discussed.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; COVID-19; Melatonin; SARS-CoV-2.

Fig. 1

It is hypothesized that melatonin, well documented for its protective effects in various human and animal studies will protect ASD patients who have are known to have low melatonin levels and may be susceptible to COVID-19 disease. Furthermore, restoration of melatonin levels will be protective against the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Melatonin’s protective actions in the left box are conducive to health. SARS-CoV-2 virus with low melatonin levels result in a cytokine storm that causes COVID-19 disease. Raising melatonin levels may help prevent illness due to SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 figure is from Pixaby.