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Role of Melatonin in the Regulation of Human Circadian Rhythms and Sleep
Author(s) -
Cajochen C.,
Kräuchi K.,
WirzJustice A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.00989.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , circadian rhythm , dark therapy , light effects on circadian rhythm , free running sleep , endocrinology , phase response curve , medicine , endogeny , wakefulness , circadian clock , sleep (system call) , delayed sleep phase , rhythm , pineal gland , psychology , biology , neuroscience , sleep disorder , electroencephalography , cognition , computer science , operating system
The circadian rhythm of pineal melatonin is the best marker of internal time under low ambient light levels. The endogenous melatonin rhythm exhibits a close association with the endogenous circadian component of the sleep propensity rhythm. This has led to the idea that melatonin is an internal sleep ‘facilitator’ in humans, and therefore useful in the treatment of insomnia and the readjustment of circadian rhythms. There is evidence that administration of melatonin is able: (i) to induce sleep when the homeostatic drive to sleep is insufficient; (ii) to inhibit the drive for wakefulness emanating from the circadian pacemaker; and (iii) induce phase shifts in the circadian clock such that the circadian phase of increased sleep propensity occurs at a new, desired time. Therefore, exogenous melatonin can act as soporific agent, a chronohypnotic, and/or a chronobiotic. We describe the role of melatonin in the regulation of sleep, and the use of exogenous melatonin to treat sleep or circadian rhythm disorders.