Circadian Clock Dysfunction Exacerbate Autistic‐Like Behaviour and Wnt/β‐Catenin Signalling Dysregulation in ASD Mice and Treatment of Melatonin

📖 Top 20% JournalJan 7, 2026Journal of cellular and molecular medicine

Disrupted Body Clock Worsens Autism-Like Behavior and Cell Signaling Problems in ASD Mice and May Be Helped by Melatonin

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Abstract

Between 50% and 80% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder may experience sleep disturbances.

  • A potential link exists between Bmal1 deficiency and Autism Spectrum Disorder in mouse models.
  • Mice exposed to valproic acid exhibited autistic-like behaviors alongside altered circadian protein expression and disrupted Wnt signaling proteins.
  • Bmal1 knockout worsened behavioral changes and further impaired Wnt signaling in valproic acid-exposed mice.
  • Melatonin treatment reversed Wnt downregulation and improved behavioral deficits in valproic acid-exposed mice.
  • The therapeutic effect of melatonin is associated with its regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

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