Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders: implication and counteracting of melatonin

Age related neurodegenerative disorders are becoming a serious public health problem. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive disease pathologically recognizable by deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques. Oxidative stress probably plays a pivotal role in AD, but despite expectations, antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids have failed as effective prophylaxis and/or treatment. Melatonin, a hormone controlling circadian rhythm, is a potent terminal antioxidant. In vitro tests and animal models have established that the application of melatonin could be beneficial for the amelioration of AD progression. Unfortunately, melatonin effects in human beings are not well understood and a lot of work has still to be done. The review summarizes the basic facts about melatonin and its prospects as a treatment for AD using its hormonal and antioxidant properties.