Abstract
Melatonin, the major regulator of the sleep/wake cycle, also plays important physiological and pharmacological roles in the control of neuronal plasticity and neuroprotection. Accordingly, the secretion of this hormone reaches the maximal extent during brain development (childhood-adolescence) while it is greatly reduced during aging, a condition associated to altered sleep pattern and reduced neuronal plasticity. Altogether, these properties of melatonin have allowed us to demonstrate in both experimental models and clinical studies the great chronobiotic efficacy and sleep promoting effects of exogenous melatonin. Thus, the prolonged release formulation of melatonin, present as a drug in the pharmaceutical market, has been recently recommended for the treatment of insomnia in over 55 years old subjects.
Highlights
IntroductionIn the last 20 years, the huge development and evolution achieved in imaging technology (Brain Imaging—super resolution microscopy) has made it possible to unequivocally demonstrate the plastic and dynamic properties of the brain and in particular, those of neurons [1,2]
In the last 20 years, the huge development and evolution achieved in imaging technology (Brain Imaging—super resolution microscopy) has made it possible to unequivocally demonstrate the plastic and dynamic properties of the brain and in particular, those of neurons [1,2].These studies showed that the brain is an extremely dynamic organ from both a functional and morphological point of view.The availability of these extremely new technologies did an extraordinary contribution to the advanced knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate the plastic properties of neurons, demonstrating, at both experimental and clinical levels, the real morphological changes associated with physiological and pathological conditions
Reports obtained in rodents showed that the above mentioned functional and structural changes are greatly influenced by the circadian rhythm, in particular by the hormones, melatonin and cortisol released during the sleep/wake phases, respectively [24,25]
Summary
In the last 20 years, the huge development and evolution achieved in imaging technology (Brain Imaging—super resolution microscopy) has made it possible to unequivocally demonstrate the plastic and dynamic properties of the brain and in particular, those of neurons [1,2]. These studies showed that the brain is an extremely dynamic organ from both a functional and morphological point of view. In this review we will summarize the last clinical and basic research data related to the multifactorial effects of endogenous and exogenous melatonin on different physiological (pregnancy, brain development, and aging), pharmacological (action through specific receptor complexes), and pathological (sleep disturbance and other diseases) conditions
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