Sleep Med Psychophysiol.  2015 Jun;22(1):5-10. 10.14401/KASMED.2015.22.1.5.

Melatonin in Psychiatric Disorders

• Lee JS
• Kim SG
• Kim JH
• Jung WY
• Park JH

• KMID: 2317595
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14401/KASMED.2015.22.1.5

Abstract

The secretion of melatonin exhibits a circadian rhythm entrained with the sleep-wake cycle. An alteration of this secretory rhythm has been found in various psychiatric disorders. This review summarizes the regulation of melatonin and its relationship to the circadian rhythm, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, Alzheimer's disease and autism. The review also looks at the effect of melatonin and melatonin agonist on sleep and symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder. In Alzheimer's disease, the circadian rhythm alterations are associated with the change of melatonin levels and melatonin receptors. It has been reported that melatonin and melatonin synthetic enzyme levels decrease in autism spectrum disorder.

Keyword

Melatonin; Circadian rhythm; Depression; Bipolar disorder; Alzheimer's disease; Autism

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Autistic Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Child
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Circadian Rhythm
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major
Melatonin*
Receptors, Melatonin
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Melatonin
Receptors, Melatonin