Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026

Circadian Entrainment of Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: June 3, 2020
Disruption of melatonin circadian rhythm production is related to multiple sclerosis severity: A preliminary study
Alfredo Damasceno1, Adriel Santos Moraes2, Alessandro Farias2
1Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil; Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.
Abstract:
Sunlight can influence the immune system independently of vitamin D, such as through melatonin production in the pineal gland. Inflammatory disorders can suppress nocturnal melatonin production, but only a few studies have investigated melatonin status in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to study melatonin production in association with clinical and immunological data in MS patients. Eleven treated relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and eight controls underwent neurological examination and were assessed for fatigue severity and depressive symptoms. Inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in blood samples and concentration of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT) was determined in 24h urine. Patients with an abnormal proportion of overnight 6-SMT (n=8, 72.7%) had higher disability and fatigue severity (p<0.05). Overnight 6-SMT was inversely related with fatigue severity (p=0.016), number of relapses in the previous 12 months (p=0.010) and EDSS scores (p=0.049). In conclusion, disruption of melatonin circadian rhythm production is frequent among RRMS patients and seemingly related to higher disability and fatigue scores. Future studies with larger sample size are necessary to establish melatonin status as a biomarker of disease severity in MS.
Related Concept Videos
Management of Insomnia
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Narcolepsy

