Melatonin in sleep disorders

Melatonin is the main hormone involved in the control of the sleep-wake cycle. It is easily synthesisable and can be administered orally, which has led to interest in its use as a treatment for insomnia. Moreover, as production of the hormone decreases with age, in inverse correlation with the frequency of poor sleep quality, it has been suggested that melatonin deficit is at least partly responsible for sleep disorders. Treating this age-related deficit would therefore appear to be a natural way of restoring sleep quality, which is lost as patients age. However, despite the undeniable theoretical appeal of this approach to insomnia, little scientific evidence is available that supports any benefit of this substitutive therapy. Furthermore, the most suitable dose ranges and pharmaceutical preparations for melatonin administration are yet to be clearly defined. This review addresses the physiology of melatonin, the different pharmaceutical preparations, and data on its clinical usefulness. (C) 2018 Sociedad Espanola de Neurologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the role of melatonin in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and its potential use as a treatment for insomnia. Despite the theoretical appeal, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the benefits of this therapy, and the optimal dosage and formulations for melatonin administration have not been clearly defined.