Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Defining neonatal encephalopathy: an international real-time Delphi consensus process.

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health·2026
Same author

"Breast is Best": does this also apply to neonatal neuroprotection?

Pediatric research·2026
Same author

Caffeine for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy-Throwing Fuel on the Fire?

JAMA pediatrics·2026
Same author

Melatonin treatment for neonatal encephalopathy.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
Same author

Systematic review of terminology, definitions, and eligibility criteria in trials of neonatal encephalopathy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and perinatal asphyxia.

Pediatric research·2026
Same author

Postnatal Azithromycin Is Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory in a Piglet Model of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Stroke·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
05:52

Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Published on: October 28, 2022

883

Melatonin for Neonatal Encephalopathy: From Bench to Bedside.

Raymand Pang1, Adnan Advic-Belltheus1, Christopher Meehan1

  • 1Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London WC1E 6HU, UK.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 2, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Melatonin shows promise as a neuroprotective agent for infants with neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Optimal timing and dosage are critical for its effectiveness when used alongside therapeutic hypothermia (HT).

Keywords:
hypoxia-ischaemiamelatoninneonatal encephalopathyneuroprotectiontherapeutic hypothermia

More Related Videos

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
09:29

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

3.6K
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport
05:15

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport

Published on: June 21, 2024

951

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
05:52

Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Published on: October 28, 2022

883
Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
09:29

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Published on: June 11, 2020

3.6K
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport
05:15

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport

Published on: June 21, 2024

951

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal neurology
  • Neuroprotection
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a significant cause of infant death and disability globally.
  • Therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is a standard treatment but has limitations, especially in low-resource settings.
  • Additional neuroprotective strategies are crucial for improving outcomes in NE.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the neuroprotective properties of melatonin.
  • To summarize findings on melatonin's efficacy in animal models of NE, particularly the neonatal piglet model.
  • To discuss the challenges in translating melatonin as a therapeutic agent from preclinical studies to clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on melatonin's neuroprotective mechanisms (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic).
  • Analysis of data from neonatal piglet models of perinatal asphyxia investigating melatonin's safety and efficacy.
  • Examination of time-critical and dose-dependent effects of melatonin.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin exhibits significant neuroprotective effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.
  • Preclinical studies in piglets suggest that melatonin can augment the effects of therapeutic hypothermia (HT).
  • The neuroprotective benefits of melatonin are dependent on achieving therapeutic levels (15-30 mg/L) within 2-3 hours after birth.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin is a promising neuroprotective agent for neonatal encephalopathy due to its safety profile and preclinical efficacy.
  • Optimal therapeutic timing and dosage are essential for maximizing melatonin's benefits in conjunction with HT.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges in translating these findings into effective bedside treatments for NE.