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Giri A, Mehan S, Khan Z, Das Gupta G, Narula AS, Kalfin R. Modulation of neural circuits by melatonin in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3867-3895. [PMID: 38225412 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02939-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders are two broad categories of neurological disorders characterized by progressive impairments in movement and cognitive functions within the central and peripheral nervous systems, and have emerged as a significant cause of mortality. Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalances are recognized as prominent pathogenic factors contributing to cognitive deficits and neurobehavioral anomalies. Consequently, preventing neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases has surfaced as a pivotal challenge in contemporary public health. This review explores the investigation of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders using both synthetic and natural bioactive compounds. A central focus lies on melatonin, a neuroregulatory hormone secreted by the pineal gland in response to light-dark cycles. Melatonin, an amphiphilic molecule, assumes multifaceted roles, including scavenging free radicals, modulating energy metabolism, and synchronizing circadian rhythms. Noteworthy for its robust antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, melatonin exhibits diverse neuroprotective effects. The inherent attributes of melatonin position it as a potential key player in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated melatonin's efficacy in alleviating neuropathological symptoms across neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder). The documented neuroprotective prowess of melatonin introduces novel therapeutic avenues for addressing neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This comprehensive review encompasses many of melatonin's applications in treating diverse brain disorders. Despite the strides made, realizing melatonin's full neuroprotective potential necessitates further rigorous clinical investigations. By unravelling the extended neuroprotective benefits of melatonin, future studies promise to deepen our understanding and augment the therapeutic implications against neurological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Giri
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy Moga, Punjab, India.
- IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Punjab, 144603, India.
| | - Zuber Khan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy Moga, Punjab, India
- IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Punjab, 144603, India
| | | | - Acharan S Narula
- Narula Research, LLC, 107 Boulder Bluff, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Reni Kalfin
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 23, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
- Department of Healthcare, South-West University "NeofitRilski", Ivan Mihailov St. 66, Blagoevgrad, 2700, Bulgaria
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Zhao FY, Spencer SJ, Kennedy GA, Zheng Z, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Xu P, Yue LP, Wang YM, Xu Y, Fu QQ, Ho YS. Acupuncture for primary insomnia: Effectiveness, safety, mechanisms and recommendations for clinical practice. Sleep Med Rev 2024; 74:101892. [PMID: 38232645 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Primary insomnia (PI) is an increasing concern in modern society. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is the first-line recommendation, yet limited availability and cost impede its widespread use. While hypnotics are frequently used, balancing their benefits against the risk of adverse events poses challenges. This review summarizes the clinical and preclinical evidence of acupuncture as a treatment for PI, discussing its potential mechanisms and role in reliving insomnia. Clinical trials show that acupuncture improves subjective sleep quality, fatigue, cognitive impairments, and emotional symptoms with minimal adverse events. It also positively impacts objective sleep processes, including prolonging total sleep time, improving sleep efficiency, reducing sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset, and enhancing sleep architecture/structure, including increasing N3% and REM%, and decreasing N1%. However, methodological shortcomings in some trials diminish the overall quality of evidence. Animal studies suggest that acupuncture restores circadian rhythms in sleep-deprived rodents and improves their performance in behavioral tests, possibly mediated by various clinical variables and pathways. These may involve neurotransmitters, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, inflammatory cytokines, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, gut microbiota, and other cellular events. While the existing findings support acupuncture as a promising therapeutic strategy for PI, additional high-quality trials are required to validate its benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Yi Zhao
- Department of Nursing, School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda University, Shanghai, 201209, China; Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, China
| | - Sarah J Spencer
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Gerard A Kennedy
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Mount Helen, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Zhen Zheng
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Russell Conduit
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Wen-Jing Zhang
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, China
| | - Peijie Xu
- School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Li-Ping Yue
- Department of Nursing, School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda University, Shanghai, 201209, China
| | - Yan-Mei Wang
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Nursing, School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda University, Shanghai, 201209, China.
| | - Qiang-Qiang Fu
- Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| | - Yuen-Shan Ho
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Hartley S, Daville R, Jonathan L, Raverot V, Di Maria J, Bossard I, Bensmail D, Quera-Salva MA, Leotard A. Melatonin secretion and sleep disorders in patients with spinal cord injuries. Spinal Cord 2024; 62:143-148. [PMID: 38347109 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-024-00959-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational study. OBJECTIVES To evaluate melatonin secretion, daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI), and their association with lesion level. SETTING Specialized neuro rehabilitation hospital in France METHODS: Prospective observational study of patients aged over 18 hospitalized in for spinal cord injury. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI), daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness scale (ESS), and melatonin secretion by 24 h urinary dosage of 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin. RESULTS 213 patients were screened, 21 patients were included: 17 complete (AIS A) and 4 lesions (AIS B), 76% of traumatic origin with 12 tetraplegic and 9 paraplegic, mean 10 (range 0.5-40) years after injury. Mean age was 46.8 ± 14.7 years, mean BMI 23.56 ± 4.1 and men outnumbered women (15 vs 6). Melatonin secretion was analyzed by 24 h secretion and by secretion profile. Comparing retained vs abolished secretion, only 23% (4/17) of patients with a lesion above T8 retained melatonin secretion, compared to 80% (4/5) with a lesion below T8 (p = 0.022). Non significant differences were found in secretion profile in patients who retained secretion: no patient with a lesion above T8 had a normal secretion profile compared to 50% with a lesion below T8 and in the impact of partial vs total lesions above T8 in whom 17% (2/12) of complete ASIA-A lesions and 50% (2/4) of incomplete lesions retained secretion. CONCLUSION Lesions of the spinal cord above T8 are strongly associated with abolition of melatonin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hartley
- Département de physiologie, explorations fonctionnelles, unité des pathologies du sommeil, AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, Garches, France.
| | - Raphaëlla Daville
- Département de physiologie, explorations fonctionnelles, unité des pathologies du sommeil, AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, Garches, France
| | - Levy Jonathan
- Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, AP-HP, 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380, Garches, France
- Sleep Lab Initiative In PMR group (SLIIP), Garches, France
| | - Véronique Raverot
- Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie, Groupement Hospitalier Est, 69677, Bron, France
| | - Julie Di Maria
- Département de physiologie, explorations fonctionnelles, unité des pathologies du sommeil, AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, Garches, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, « End:icap » U1179 Inserm, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Isabelle Bossard
- CIC 1429 Inserm Hôpital Raymond Poincaré Garches, 92380, Garches, France
| | - Djamel Bensmail
- Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, AP-HP, 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380, Garches, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, « End:icap » U1179 Inserm, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - M A Quera-Salva
- Département de physiologie, explorations fonctionnelles, unité des pathologies du sommeil, AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, Garches, France
| | - Antoine Leotard
- Département de physiologie, explorations fonctionnelles, unité des pathologies du sommeil, AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, GHU Paris Saclay, Garches, France
- Sleep Lab Initiative In PMR group (SLIIP), Garches, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, « End:icap » U1179 Inserm, 78000, Versailles, France
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Keihani A, Mayeli A, Ferrarelli F. Circadian Rhythm Changes in Healthy Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200237. [PMID: 36403250 PMCID: PMC10199146 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions in circadian rhythms can occur in healthy aging; however, these changes are more severe and pervasive in individuals with age-related and neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Circadian rhythm alterations are also present in preclinical stages of dementia, for example, in patients with mild cognitive impairments (MCI); thus, providing a unique window of opportunity for early intervention in neurodegenerative disorders. Nonetheless, there is a lack of studies examining the association between relevant changes in circadian rhythms and their relationship with cognitive dysfunctions in MCI individuals. In this review, circadian system alterations occurring in MCI patients are examined compared to healthy aging individuals while also considering their association with MCI neurocognitive alterations. The main findings are that abnormal circadian changes in rest-activity, core body temperature, melatonin, and cortisol rhythms appear in the MCI stage and that these circadian rhythm disruptions are associated with some of the neurocognitive deficits observed in MCI patients. In addition, preliminary evidence indicates that interventions aimed at restoring regular circadian rhythms may prevent or halt the progress of neurodegenerative diseases and mitigate their related cognitive impairments. Future longitudinal studies with repeated follow-up assessments are needed to establish the translational potential of these findings in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmadreza Keihani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Ahmad Mayeli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Fabio Ferrarelli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Dell'Isola GB, Tascini G, Vinti V, Tulli E, Dini G, Mencaroni E, Ferrara P, Di Cara G, Striano P, Verrotti A. Effect of melatonin on sleep quality and EEG features in childhood epilepsy: a possible non-conventional treatment. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1243917. [PMID: 37780697 PMCID: PMC10538564 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1243917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sleep and epilepsy are characterized by a bidirectional relationship. Indeed, epilepsy predisposes to the development of sleep disorders, while sleep deprivation may exacerbate epilepsy. In addition, antiseizure medication can disrupt normal sleep architecture. Therefore, adequate sleep hygiene could lead to improvement in seizure control. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin on seizure frequency, EEG tracing, and sleep in children with focal idiopathic epilepsy. Methods This observation study evaluated the effect of 4 mg oral melatonin in ameliorating sleep-wake cycle, seizure frequency, and EEG features in children with focal idiopathic epilepsy of infancy. Twenty children were enrolled from September 2020 to August 2021. The study consisted of serial controls at enrollment (t0), at 3 months (t1), and at 6 months (t2) including neurological examination, questionnaire about sleep disturbances (CSHQ), and EEG. Results A significant improvement in sleep quality and daytime sleepiness was observed after melatonin supplementation. Furthermore, we observed a noteworthy improvement in EEG tracing at t2 that exhibited a significant correlation with improvements in CSHQ scores. Conclusion The studies conducted so far to evaluate the effect of melatonin in persons with epilepsy do not lead to definitive conclusions. Despite the small population sample and the study design, we report sleep and EEG improvement after melatonin administration in our cohort. Larger studies are needed to further study the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties of melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgia Tascini
- Unit of Pediatrics, Città di Castello Hospital, Città di Castello, Italy
| | - Valerio Vinti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Tulli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Dini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Ferrara
- Unit of Pediatrics, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Abulafia C, Vidal MF, Olivar N, Odzak A, Brusco I, Guinjoan SM, Cardinali DP, Vigo DE. An Exploratory Study of Sleep-Wake Differences of Autonomic Activity in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Melatonin as a Modulating Factor. Clin Interv Aging 2023; 18:771-781. [PMID: 37200894 PMCID: PMC10187579 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s394749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of the present study was to assess sleep-wake differences of autonomic activity in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to control subjects. As a post-hoc objective, we sought to evaluate the mediating effect of melatonin on this association. Patients and Methods A total of 22 MCI patients (13 under melatonin treatment) and 12 control subjects were included in this study. Sleep-wake periods were identified by actigraphy and 24hr-heart rate variability measures were obtained to study sleep-wake autonomic activity. Results MCI patients did not show any significant differences in sleep-wake autonomic activity when compared to control subjects. Post-hoc analyses revealed that MCI patients not taking melatonin displayed lower parasympathetic sleep-wake amplitude than controls not taking melatonin (RMSSD -7 ± 1 vs 4 ± 4, p = 0.004). In addition, we observed that melatonin treatment was associated with greater parasympathetic activity during sleep (VLF 15.5 ± 0.1 vs 15.1 ± 0.1, p = 0.010) and in sleep-wake differences in MCI patients (VLF 0.5 ± 0.1 vs 0.2 ± 0.0, p = 0.004). Conclusion These preliminary findings hint at a possible sleep-related parasympathetic vulnerability in patients at prodromal stages of dementia as well as a potential protective effect of exogenous melatonin in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Abulafia
- Laboratory of Chronophysiology, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) and CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María F Vidal
- Servicio de Psiquiatría, Departamento de Neurología, Fleni, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natividad Olivar
- Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Odzak
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Argerich, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Brusco
- Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Argerich, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Daniel P Cardinali
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel E Vigo
- Laboratory of Chronophysiology, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) and CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: Daniel E Vigo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Alicia Moreau de Justo 1500, 4° piso, Buenos Aires, C1107AAZ, Argentina, Tel +54 0810-2200-822 ext 1152, Email ;
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Shukla M, Vincent B. Melatonin as a Harmonizing Factor of Circadian Rhythms, Neuronal Cell Cycle and Neurogenesis: Additional Arguments for Its Therapeutic Use in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1273-1298. [PMID: 36918783 PMCID: PMC10286584 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230314142505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthesis and release of melatonin in the brain harmonize various physiological functions. The apparent decline in melatonin levels with advanced aging is an aperture to the neurodegenerative processes. It has been indicated that down regulation of melatonin leads to alterations of circadian rhythm components, which further causes a desynchronization of several genes and results in an increased susceptibility to develop neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, as circadian rhythms and memory are intertwined, such rhythmic disturbances influence memory formation and recall. Besides, cell cycle events exhibit a remarkable oscillatory system, which is downstream of the circadian phenomena. The linkage between the molecular machinery of the cell cycle and complex fundamental regulatory proteins emphasizes the conjectural regulatory role of cell cycle components in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Among the mechanisms intervening long before the signs of the disease appear, the disturbances of the circadian cycle, as well as the alteration of the machinery of the cell cycle and impaired neurogenesis, must hold our interest. Therefore, in the present review, we propose to discuss the underlying mechanisms of action of melatonin in regulating the circadian rhythm, cell cycle components and adult neurogenesis in the context of AD pathogenesis with the view that it might further assist to identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri Shukla
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
- Present Address: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 10210, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Bruno Vincent
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Excellence DistALZ, Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560, Valbonne, France
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Cardinali DP, Brown GM, Pandi-Perumal SR. Possible Application of Melatonin in Long COVID. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1646. [PMID: 36358996 PMCID: PMC9687267 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical sequelae and symptoms for a considerable number of COVID-19 patients can linger for months beyond the acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection, "long COVID". Among the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, cognitive issues (especially memory loss or "brain fog"), chronic fatigue, myalgia, and muscular weakness resembling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are of importance. Melatonin may be particularly effective at reducing the signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its functions as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immuno-modulatory agent. Melatonin is also a chronobiotic medication effective in treating delirium and restoring the circadian imbalance seen in COVID patients in the intensive care unit. Additionally, as a cytoprotector, melatonin aids in the prevention of several COVID-19 comorbidities, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases. This narrative review discusses the application of melatonin as a neuroprotective agent to control cognitive deterioration ("brain fog") and pain in the ME/CFS syndrome-like documented in long COVID. Further studies on the therapeutic use of melatonin in the neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Cardinali
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AAZ, Argentina
| | - Gregory M. Brown
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Seithikurippu R. Pandi-Perumal
- Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
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Response to Treatment with Melatonin and Clonazepam versus Placebo in Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092516. [PMID: 35566642 PMCID: PMC9101769 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of melatonin and clonazepam versus placebo in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Methods: a prospective double-blind study was carried out in patients with BMS and randomized to three groups: melatonin (1 mg once a day), clonazepam (0.5 mg/twice a day), or a placebo once a day, for 8 weeks. The clinical changes were evaluated, including xerostomia, the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) score, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Oxygen saturation and heart rate were recorded, with an analysis of salivary biomarkers in the forms of oxytocin, ferritin, adenosine deaminase (ADA), total proteins, and alpha-amylase. Results: a total of 64 patients were analyzed. A significant decrease in burning sensation was recorded with melatonin (7.8 ± 1.54 pre-treatment, 5.78 ± 2.54 post-treatment; p < 0.001) and clonazepam (8.75 ± 1.2 pre-treatment, 5.5 ± 3.6 post-treatment (p < 0.01). With regard to quality of life (OHIP-14), significant improvements were observed before and after the administration of melatonin (p < 0.001) and clonazepam (p = 0.001). On the other hand, with regard to the changes in salivary biomarkers following treatment, negative correlations were found between oxytocin and drainage (r = −0.410; p = 0.009) and between the HADS-D score and ferritin (r = −0.312; p = 0.05). While salivary amylase showed positive correlation with heart rate (r = 0.346; p = 0.029) and oxygen saturation (r = 0.419; p = 0.007). Conclusions: melatonin and clonazepam were shown to be effective at reducing the burning sensation and improving quality of life. Both drugs were found to be safe, with no major adverse effects in patients with BMS. Melatonin may be regarded as an alternative treatment for patients with BMS, though further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
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Pohanka M. New uses of Melatonin as a Drug, a Review. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:3622-3637. [PMID: 34986763 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220105115755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin is a simple compound with a proper chemical name N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine and known as a hormone controlling circadian rhythm. Humans produce melatonin at night which is the reason for sleeping in the night and awakening over the day. Melatonin interacts with melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 but it was also revealed that melatonin is a strong antioxidant and it also has a role in regulation of cell cycle. Currently, melatonin is used as a drug for some types of sleep disorder but the recent research points to the fact that melatonin can also serve for the other purposes including prophylaxis or therapy of lifestyle diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and exposure to chemicals. This review summarizes basic facts and direction of the current research on melatonin. The actual literature was scrutinized for the purpose of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Pohanka
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove CZ-50001, Czech Republic
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11
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Abstract
Endogenous biological clocks, orchestrated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, time the circadian rhythms that synchronize physiological and behavioural functions in humans. The circadian system influences most physiological processes, including sleep, alertness and cognitive performance. Disruption of circadian homeostasis has deleterious effects on human health. Neurodegenerative disorders involve a wide range of symptoms, many of which exhibit diurnal variations in frequency and intensity. These disorders also disrupt circadian homeostasis, which in turn has negative effects on symptoms and quality of life. Emerging evidence points to a bidirectional relationship between circadian homeostasis and neurodegeneration, suggesting that circadian function might have an important role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the circadian system has become an attractive target for research and clinical care innovations. Studying circadian disruption in neurodegenerative disorders could expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration and facilitate the development of novel, circadian-based interventions for these disabling disorders. In this Review, we discuss the alterations to the circadian system that occur in movement (Parkinson disease and Huntington disease) and cognitive (Alzheimer disease and frontotemporal dementia) neurodegenerative disorders and provide directions for future investigations in this field.
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Cox C, Mackett A. Melatonin as first‐line treatment for sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease? PROGRESS IN NEUROLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pnp.728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caitríona Cox
- Dr Cox is an IMT trainee and Dr Mackett is a Consultant Geriatrician, both at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
| | - Alistair Mackett
- Dr Cox is an IMT trainee and Dr Mackett is a Consultant Geriatrician, both at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
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Surman CBH, Walsh DM. Managing Sleep in Adults with ADHD: From Science to Pragmatic Approaches. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1361. [PMID: 34679425 PMCID: PMC8534229 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep disorders and sleep problems commonly occur in adults with ADHD and add to functional impairment. Evidence-based treatments for sleep could improve function in the adult ADHD population. METHODS A literature review was conducted to present the clinical science informing treatment of sleep in adults with ADHD. RESULTS Six systematic prospective studies of sleep intervention in adults with ADHD were identified. Three of these, all including well-characterized ADHD patients, offered evidence for a significant effect of morning light therapy. Across the studies, preliminary evidence for melatonin, behavioral therapy, and weighted blankets were also found. IMPLICATION Low-risk interventions such as light therapy may improve sleep in adults with ADHD, but many sleep interventions currently in use remain unstudied in the ADHD population. Considerations for evidence-informed practice and future research directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig B. H. Surman
- Clinical and Research Program in ADHD and Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniel M. Walsh
- Clinical and Research Program in ADHD and Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
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14
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Palagini L, Manni R, Aguglia E, Amore M, Brugnoli R, Bioulac S, Bourgin P, Micoulaud Franchi JA, Girardi P, Grassi L, Lopez R, Mencacci C, Plazzi G, Maruani J, Minervino A, Philip P, Royant Parola S, Poirot I, Nobili L, Biggio G, Schroder CM, Geoffroy PA. International Expert Opinions and Recommendations on the Use of Melatonin in the Treatment of Insomnia and Circadian Sleep Disturbances in Adult Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:688890. [PMID: 34177671 PMCID: PMC8222620 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, such as the delayed sleep phase syndrome, are frequent in psychiatric disorders and their evaluation and management in early stages should be a priority. The aim of this paper was to express recommendations on the use of exogenous melatonin, which exhibits both chronobiotic and sleep-promoting actions, for the treatment of these sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders. Methods: To this aim, we conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA on the use of melatonin for the treatment of insomnia and circadian sleep disorders in neuropsychiatry. We expressed recommendations for the use of melatonin in psychiatric clinical practice for each disorder using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method. Results: We selected 41 studies, which included mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and delirium; no studies were found for both anxiety and eating disorders. Conclusion: The administration of prolonged release melatonin at 2-10 mg, 1-2 h before bedtime, might be used in the treatment of insomnia symptoms or comorbid insomnia in mood disorders, schizophrenia, in adults with autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders and during sedative-hypnotics discontinuation. Immediate release melatonin at <1 mg might be useful in the treatment of circadian sleep disturbances of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Palagini
- Psychiatry Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Manni
- Unit of Sleep Medicine and Epilepsy, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Eugenio Aguglia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Psychiatric Clinic University Hospital “Gaspare Rodolico”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Amore
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Brugnoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stéphanie Bioulac
- University Sleep Clinic, Services of Functional Exploration of the Nervous System, University Hospital of Bordeaux, and USR CNRS 3413 SANPSY, University Hospital Pellegrin, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Patrice Bourgin
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS-UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
- Centre des troubles du sommeil - CIRCSom, Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Arthur Micoulaud Franchi
- University Sleep Clinic, Services of Functional Exploration of the Nervous System, University Hospital of Bordeaux, and USR CNRS 3413 SANPSY, University Hospital Pellegrin, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paolo Girardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Régis Lopez
- Service de Neurologie, Centre National de Référence Narcolepsie Hypersomnies, Unité des Troubles du Sommeil, Hôpital Gui-de-Chauliac Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- PSNREC, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Claudio Mencacci
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriali Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Plazzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Julia Maruani
- Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie, AP-HP, GHU Paris Nord, DMU Neurosciences, Hopital Bichat - Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Antonino Minervino
- Department of Psychiatry, Italian Society of Psychosomatic Medicine (SIMP), Parma, Italy
| | - Pierre Philip
- University Sleep Clinic, Services of Functional Exploration of the Nervous System, University Hospital of Bordeaux, and USR CNRS 3413 SANPSY, University Hospital Pellegrin, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Isabelle Poirot
- Service de psychiatrie adulte, Hôpital Fontan, CHU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Lino Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Biggio
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carmen M. Schroder
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS-UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre A. Geoffroy
- Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie, AP-HP, GHU Paris Nord, DMU Neurosciences, Hopital Bichat - Claude Bernard, Paris, France
- GHU Paris - Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Paris, France
- CNRS UPR 3212, Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, France
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15
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Pérez-Lloret S, Cardinali DP. Melatonin as a Chronobiotic and Cytoprotective Agent in Parkinson's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:650597. [PMID: 33935759 PMCID: PMC8082390 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.650597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This article discusses the role that melatonin may have in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In parkinsonian patients circulating melatonin levels are consistently disrupted and the potential therapeutic value of melatonin on sleep disorders in PD was examined in a limited number of clinical studies using 2–5 mg/day melatonin at bedtime. The low levels of melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptor density in substantia nigra and amygdala found in PD patients supported the hypothesis that the altered sleep/wake cycle seen in PD could be due to a disrupted melatonergic system. Motor symptomatology is seen in PD patients when about 75% of the dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta region degenerate. Nevertheless, symptoms like rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), hyposmia or depression may precede the onset of motor symptoms in PD for years and are index of worse prognosis. Indeed, RBD patients may evolve to an α-synucleinopathy within 10 years of RBD onset. Daily bedtime administration of 3–12 mg of melatonin has been demonstrated effective in RDB treatment and may halt neurodegeneration to PD. In studies on animal models of PD melatonin was effective to curtail symptomatology in doses that allometrically projected to humans were in the 40–100 mg/day range, rarely employed clinically. Therefore, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies are urgently needed in this respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Pérez-Lloret
- Universidad Abierta Interamericana-Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de La Salud, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, UAI-CAECIHS. CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel P Cardinali
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Ferlazzo N, Andolina G, Cannata A, Costanzo MG, Rizzo V, Currò M, Ientile R, Caccamo D. Is Melatonin the Cornucopia of the 21st Century? Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9111088. [PMID: 33167396 PMCID: PMC7694322 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9111088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin, an indoleamine hormone produced and secreted at night by pinealocytes and extra-pineal cells, plays an important role in timing circadian rhythms (24-h internal clock) and regulating the sleep/wake cycle in humans. However, in recent years melatonin has gained much attention mainly because of its demonstrated powerful lipophilic antioxidant and free radical scavenging action. Melatonin has been proven to be twice as active as vitamin E, believed to be the most effective lipophilic antioxidant. Melatonin-induced signal transduction through melatonin receptors promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes as well as inflammation-related genes. Melatonin also exerts an immunomodulatory action through the stimulation of high-affinity receptors expressed in immunocompetent cells. Here, we reviewed the efficacy, safety and side effects of melatonin supplementation in treating oxidative stress- and/or inflammation-related disorders, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as osteoporosis and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniela Caccamo
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-221-3386 or +39-090-221-3389
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