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 Experiment Videos

Melatonin, light and chronobiological disorders.

A J Lewy, R L Sack, C M Singer

    Ciba Foundation Symposium
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    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

    Batch variation and pharmacokinetics of oral sustained release melatonin-loaded sugar spheres in human subjects.

    Archives of pharmacal research·2008
    Same author

    Solubility and stability of melatonin in propylene glycol and 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin vehicles.

    Archives of pharmacal research·2008
    Same author

    Melatonin and human chronobiology.

    Cold Spring Harbor symposia on quantitative biology·2008
    Same author

    Sleep and sleep disturbance: from genes to dreams.

    Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2007
    Same author

    Capturing the circadian rhythms of free-running blind people with 0.5 mg melatonin.

    Brain research·2001
    Same author

    Pretreatment circadian period in free-running blind people may predict the phase angle of entrainment to melatonin.

    Neuroscience letters·2001
    Same journal

    Precision agriculture: spatial and temporal variability of environmental quality. General reflections.

    Ciba Foundation symposium·1997
    Same journal

    Uncertainty in hydrogeological modelling.

    Ciba Foundation symposium·1997
    Same journal

    Optimal mapping of site-specific multivariate soil properties.

    Ciba Foundation symposium·1997
    Same journal

    Modelling for precision weed management.

    Ciba Foundation symposium·1997
    Same journal

    GIS support for precision agriculture: problems and possibilities.

    Ciba Foundation symposium·1997
    Same journal

    Spatial sampling.

    Ciba Foundation symposium·1997
    See all related articles

    This study demonstrates that human plasma melatonin, exclusively from the pineal gland, can be measured precisely. Light exposure significantly impacts melatonin, influencing circadian rhythms and offering potential therapeutic strategies for mood and sleep disorders.

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Chronobiology
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms.
    • Accurate measurement of melatonin levels is essential for understanding its physiological functions and clinical implications.
    • Disruptions in circadian rhythms are associated with various sleep and mood disorders.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To establish a sensitive and accurate method for measuring human plasma melatonin concentrations.
    • To investigate the sources and regulation of human melatonin.
    • To explore the effects of light exposure and certain medications on melatonin secretion and circadian rhythms.

    Main Methods:

    • Gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NICIMS) was employed for precise melatonin quantification.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Human and animal subjects were used to study melatonin production and regulation.
  • Controlled light exposure experiments were conducted to assess its impact on melatonin levels and circadian phase.

    • Main Results:

    • Plasma melatonin in humans and rats is solely derived from the pineal gland.
    • Propranolol and clonidine were found to reduce human melatonin levels.
    • Bright light acutely suppresses human melatonin production in a dose-dependent manner.
    • Some blind individuals exhibit free-running circadian rhythms of melatonin secretion.
    • Manic-depressive patients, particularly manic patients, show altered melatonin levels and heightened sensitivity to light.
    • Light exposure demonstrates both acute suppressive and phase-entrainment effects on human circadian rhythms, with morning light advancing and evening light delaying rhythms.

    Conclusions:

    • Gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry provides a reliable assay for human plasma melatonin.
    • Melatonin's regulation by the pineal gland and its modulation by light and medication have significant implications for circadian rhythm research.
    • Understanding light's differential effects on circadian phase (advancement vs. delay) allows for personalized light therapy strategies in treating sleep and mood disorders.