Scientists in Japan have identified a genetic connection between melatonin production—the hormone responsible for regulating circadian rhythms—and the severity of symptoms in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since people with ADHD often experience sleep disturbances, researchers investigated whether disrupted circadian rhythms might influence symptom development. The findings were published on the New Atlas portal.
The study involved three groups of volunteers: nearly 15,000 people with ADHD and around 23,000 without the diagnosis from Denmark, as well as over 3,000 participants from Taiwan and Japan. Scientists analyzed genetic markers influencing melatonin secretion and compared them with clinical manifestations of ADHD. They found that reduced melatonin levels correlated with more pronounced symptoms—such as difficulty falling asleep.
Researchers also found a link between melatonin and inflammatory signaling pathways, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker known to be elevated in children with ADHD. This discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of the neuroinflammatory mechanisms underlying the disorder.
The authors emphasize that more research is needed, but it’s already clear that good sleep hygiene may play an important role in reducing ADHD symptoms by stabilizing nighttime melatonin production.
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