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Melatonin treatment of non-epileptic myoclonus in children
J E Jan1, M B Connolly, D Hamilton
1Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, BC Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health, BC's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
Insights
Oral melatonin (MLT) effectively treated myoclonus in children with sleep disorders, even when resistant to other medications. This novel treatment showed no adverse effects and warrants further investigation for its potential benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oral melatonin (MLT) has been utilized since 1991 for pediatric sleep disorders, particularly in children with multiple disabilities and seizures.
- Over 200 children have been treated, establishing a history of MLT use in this population.
Observation:
- Three children with significant sleep onset delay due to recurring myoclonus were treated with MLT.
- These cases included two with non-epileptic myoclonus and one with both epileptic and non-epileptic myoclonus.
Findings:
- Low doses of oral melatonin (3-5 mg) unexpectedly resolved myoclonus in all three children, enabling them to sleep.
- No adverse effects were reported during the treatment period.
- The study suggests MLT may be effective for certain types of myoclonus resistant to conventional anticonvulsant therapies.
Implications:
- Melatonin presents a potential novel therapeutic option for specific myoclonus presentations, particularly those refractory to standard treatments.
- The unclear mechanism of action necessitates further research into how melatonin exerts its effects on myoclonus.
- Urgent investigation is recommended to explore this promising treatment avenue for pediatric sleep and movement disorders.
Abstract:
Oral melatonin (MLT) has been used by our Vancouver research group in the treatment of paediatric sleep disorders since 1991; slightly over 200 children, mainly with multiple disabilities, who frequently had seizures, have been treated. Three children with markedly delayed sleep onset due to recurring myoclonus were also referred for MLT treatment: two had non-epileptic, and one had epileptic and non-epileptic myoclonus. Low doses of oral MLT (3 to 5 mg) unexpectedly abolished their myoclonus and allowed them to sleep. There were no adverse effects. It appears that certain types of myoclonus, which might be resistant to conventional anticonvulsant medications, may respond to MLT but the mechanism of action is unclear. Further research on this novel treatment is urgently needed.