Study Finds Late Chronotype Increases Susceptibility to Autism and ADHD; Sleep Quality Independently Protects Against ASD
New research has investigated the causal relationship between circadian rhythm (CR) patterns, sleep quality, and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from objective accelerometer-based measures. The findings revealed a significant causal link between a late chronotype preference—where individuals naturally prefer to stay up late and wake up late—and both ASD and ADHD, suggesting that individuals with a late chronotype are more susceptible to these disorders. Additionally, sleep quality was found to have an independent protective effect against ASD but not ADHD, where sleep disruptions were identified as a consequence rather than a cause of the disorder. This study highlights that a late chronotype and poor sleep quality are distinct factors influencing ASD and ADHD, respectively. These findings emphasize the importance of considering specific CR and sleep patterns in managing ASD and ADHD, suggesting that tailored interventions targeting these factors could improve outcomes for affected individuals. This research lays the groundwork for more focused therapeutic strategies by identifying these specific causal relationships.
