Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Circadian Entrainment of Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: June 3, 2020
Circadian Rhythm Dysregulation and Restoration: The Role of Melatonin
Clayton Vasey1, Jennifer McBride2, Kayla Penta3
1School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA 16509, USA.
Abstract:
Sleep is an essential component of overall human health but is so tightly regulated that when disrupted can cause or worsen certain ailments. An important part of this process is the presence of the well-known hormone, melatonin. This compound assists in the governing of sleep and circadian rhythms. Previous studies have postulated that dysregulation of melatonin rhythms is the driving force behind sleep and circadian disorders. A computer-aided search spanning the years of 2015-2020 using the search terms melatonin, circadian rhythm, disorder yielded 52 full text articles that were analyzed. We explored the mechanisms behind melatonin dysregulation and how it affects various disorders. Additionally, we examined associated therapeutic treatments including bright light therapy (BLT) and exogenous forms of melatonin. We found that over the past 5 years, melatonin has not been widely investigated in clinical studies thus there remains large gaps in its potential utilization as a therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Management of Insomnia
Understanding Sleep
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
The Pineal Gland
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
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...

