High dose melatonin increases sleep duration during nighttime and daytime sleep episodes in older adults

Duffy, Jeanne F.; Wang, Wei; Ronda, Joseph M.; Czeisler, Charles A.

doi:10.1111/jpi.12801

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In 2022, researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital explored low (0.3 mg) and high (5 mg) dose melatonin in a relatively small sample of healthy older adults. Both doses improved sleep efficiency, but the higher dose impacted the biological day and night sleep patterns, the duration of non-REM sleep, and awakening time [ 93 ].…”

Section: Clinical Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements

Minich

Henning²,

Darley

et al. 2022

Nutrients

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Melatonin has become a popular dietary supplement, most known as a chronobiotic, and for establishing healthy sleep. Research over the last decade into cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fertility, PCOS, and many other conditions, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to greater awareness of melatonin because of its ability to act as a potent antioxidant, immune-active agent, and mitochondrial regulator. There are distinct similarities between melatonin and vitamin D in the depth and breadth of their impact on health. Both act as hormones, affect multiple systems through their immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory functions, are found in the skin, and are responsive to sunlight and darkness. In fact, there may be similarities between the widespread concern about vitamin D deficiency as a “sunlight deficiency” and reduced melatonin secretion as a result of “darkness deficiency” from overexposure to artificial blue light. The trend toward greater use of melatonin supplements has resulted in concern about its safety, especially higher doses, long-term use, and application in certain populations (e.g., children). This review aims to evaluate the recent data on melatonin’s mechanisms, its clinical uses beyond sleep, safety concerns, and a thorough summary of therapeutic considerations concerning dietary supplementation, including the different formats available (animal, synthetic, and phytomelatonin), dosing, timing, contraindications, and nutrient combinations.

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Section: Clinical Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements

Minich

Henning²,

Darley

et al. 2022

Nutrients

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show abstract

“…Participants included in this analysis took part in one of two different projects: Project A ( n = 8), a 32 day study investigating the impact of pre-sleep melatonin administration (on days following the baseline days reported here) [ 26 , 27 ] or Project B ( n = 5), a 9 day study investigating the impact of light exposure on circadian timing [ 28 , 29 ]. The recruitment, screening, and admission day conditions of both studies were the same.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participants in both studies had structured baseline days consisting of regularly scheduled meals, a shower between breakfast and lunch, and neurobehavioral performance tests at approximately 2-h intervals throughout the day. After the baseline days, each of the studies followed different schedules which have been reported elsewhere [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Timing of the Melatonin Onset and Phase Angle to Sleep Onset in Older Adults after Uncontrolled vs. Controlled Lighting Conditions

et al. 2023

Self Cite

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The main aim of this study was to explore how melatonin onset timing and phase angle to bedtime in healthy older adults are impacted by prior light exposure. A total of 13 healthy older (ages 56–74) individuals were studied on two successive evenings. Prior to the first evening, the participants were in self-selected lighting conditions for the first 4–6 h of the day and then were in dim light (3 lux) until their scheduled bedtime. On the second day, individuals from Project A remained in the dim lighting conditions throughout the entire day but those in Project B were in more typical indoor lighting (~90 lux) throughout the day. On both evenings, hourly blood samples were collected and assayed for melatonin, and melatonin onset timing and phase angle to sleep onset was determined. Overall, melatonin onset was earlier and the phase angle was larger on Night 1 than on Night 2. In Project A there was no significant difference between melatonin onset on night 1 vs. night 2. However, in Project B melatonin onset was significantly later on Night 2 (in typical indoor lighting) than on Night 1 (in dim lighting). Our results suggest that in older people, uncontrolled bright light early in the day did not impact the timing of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) when assessed later that same evening. However, in older adults, exposure to ordinary room light during melatonin phase assessment appeared to suppress melatonin, leading to a later observed time of melatonin onset, as has been reported previously for young adults.

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“…Melatonin treatment of AD transgenic mice increases Aβ glymphatic clearance [ 78 , 79 ]. Relevant to this, melatonin is known to preserve slow-wave sleep in patients [ 80 ], a phase in which the glymphatic elimination of Aβ peptides increases considerably [ 81 ]. Thus, the correction by melatonin of sleep disruption can contribute to counteracting the failure of Aβ clearance found in AD.…”

Section: Mechanism Of Action Of Melatonin Relevant To Long Covid Trea...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible Application of Melatonin in Long COVID

2022

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Clinical sequelae and symptoms for a considerable number of COVID-19 patients can linger for months beyond the acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection, “long COVID”. Among the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, cognitive issues (especially memory loss or “brain fog”), chronic fatigue, myalgia, and muscular weakness resembling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are of importance. Melatonin may be particularly effective at reducing the signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its functions as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immuno-modulatory agent. Melatonin is also a chronobiotic medication effective in treating delirium and restoring the circadian imbalance seen in COVID patients in the intensive care unit. Additionally, as a cytoprotector, melatonin aids in the prevention of several COVID-19 comorbidities, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases. This narrative review discusses the application of melatonin as a neuroprotective agent to control cognitive deterioration (“brain fog”) and pain in the ME/CFS syndrome-like documented in long COVID. Further studies on the therapeutic use of melatonin in the neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are warranted.

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High dose melatonin increases sleep duration during nighttime and daytime sleep episodes in older adults

Cited by 21 publications

References 51 publications

Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements

Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements

The Timing of the Melatonin Onset and Phase Angle to Sleep Onset in Older Adults after Uncontrolled vs. Controlled Lighting Conditions

Possible Application of Melatonin in Long COVID

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