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Clinical uses of melatonin in neurological diseases and mental and behavioural disorders

Abstract: Background: Melatonin is a molecule with numerous properties applicable to the treatment of neurological diseases. Among these properties are the following: potent scavenger of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species, anti-inflammatory features, immuno-enhancing nature, and modulation of circadian rhythmicity. Furthermore, low concentrations of melatonin are usually found in patients with neurological diseases and mental disorders. The positive results obtained in experimental models of diverse pathologies, including diseases of the nervous system (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, headaches, etc.) as well as mental and behavioural disordes (e.g., autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders, etc.), have served as a basis for the design of clinical trials to study melatonin's possible usefulness in human pathology, although the satisfactory results obtained from the laboratory ?bench? are not always applicable to the patient's ?bedside?. Objective: In this article, we review those papers describing the results of the administration of melatonin to humans for various therapeutic purposes in the field of neuropathology. Conclusion: Clinical trials with strong methodologies and appropriate doses of melatonin are necessary to support or reject the usefulness of melatonin in neurological diseases.

 Fuente: Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2017, 24(35), 3851-3878

 Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

 Year of publication: 2017

 No. of pages: 28

 Publication type: Article

 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170718105557

 ISSN: 0929-8673,1875-533X

 Publication Url: https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170718105557

Authorship

EMILIO JOSE SANCHEZ BARCELO

MARIA DOLORES MEDIAVILLA AGUADO

REITER, R.J.