John K. Grandy
This article investigates the potential improvements in the neurologic patient care by utilizing melatonin as a
therapeutic intervention. Melatonin is known to be involved in the circadian sleep cycle, but it has other beneficial
properties e.g. antioxidant and neuroprotective. In addition, melatonin has been shown to decrease levels of soluble
β-amyloid, which is known to form senile plaques that are found the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease. In
this article we review melatonin’s physiological activities and evidence-based therapeutic interventions in patients
with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease. It was found that melatonin does not reverse the dementia
symptoms in the final phases of Alzheimer disease but there was improvement in sleep-wake abnormalities, circadian
rhythm disturbances, and sundown syndrome in these patients. Melatonin therapy was also seen to improve
sleep quality, cognitive performance, memory, and depression in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Although
melatonin therapy does not appear to be a potential cure for Alzheimer disease it does provide some important
neurologic benefits in the appropriate patient population.
