[Melatonin: Physiological and pharmacological aspects related to sleep: The interest of a prolonged-release formulation (Circadin ®) in insomnia].

[Melatonin: Physiological and pharmacological aspects related to sleep: The interest of a prolonged-release formulation (Circadin®) in insomnia]. Encephale. 2018 Aug 11;: Authors: Quera-Salva MA, Claustrat B Abstract Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It displays a very marked nycthohemeral rhythm, which is entrained to the light dark cycle. The secretion spreads over 8-10 hours, with a maximum around 3-4 a.m. Melatonin plays the role of an endogenous synchronizer which regulates circadian rhythms, especially the sleep/wake and temperature rhythms. Acute melatonin administration reduces sleep latency, increases theta/alpha power and spindle activity (soporific activity). Fast-release melatonin preparations showed inconstant effects in insomnia. Melatonin displays a short blood half-life, a fast turn over and undergoes a high first-pass hepatic metabolism. More than 80% is excreted exclusively in the urine as 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. The individual's capacity to produce the endogenous hormone, the decline in circadian clock output and the increase in complaints of poor sleep quality at older age led to develop a prolonged-release melatonin preparation to mimic the endogenous secretion in patients. This reviews provides data on physiological and pharmacological melatonin effects related to sleep and summarizes trials published about Circadin® efficacy and tolerance in insomnia. Preliminary therapeutic data on other in...
Source: L Encephale - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Encephale Source Type: research