Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

1.5K

Effect of melatonin enriched with L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan on sleep parameters in children with

Francy Cruz-Sanabria1, Giovanni Cenerini2, Simone Bruno3

  • 1Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 341/A/B/C, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy.

Sleep Medicine
|February 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This pilot study explored melatonin with L-tryptophan (LT) or 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) for sleep in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The melatonin-5HTP combination showed a reduction in nocturnal motor activity in completers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Melatonin regulates sleep, but its combination with precursors like L-tryptophan (LT) and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) for sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is understudied.
  • This study addresses the limited evidence by comparing two such combinations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of melatonin combined with 5-Hydroxytryptophan (M-5HTP) versus melatonin combined with L-tryptophan (M-LT) in improving sleep parameters in children under five with NDDs.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center, randomized pilot trial involved 26 children with NDDs.
  • Participants received either M-5HTP (1mg Melatonin + 10mg 5HTP) or M-LT (1mg Melatonin + 20mg LT) nightly for at least four weeks.
  • Sleep parameters were assessed using actigraphy before and after treatment.

Main Results:

  • Only 13 children completed the study (9 in M-5HTP, 4 in M-LT).
  • No significant differences were found between the M-5HTP and M-LT groups.
  • The M-5HTP group showed a significant within-group reduction in the Sleep Movement Index (SMI) from baseline to follow-up (p=0.006).

Conclusions:

  • The melatonin-5HTP combination demonstrated a potential to reduce nocturnal motor activity in children with NDDs who completed the study.
  • Findings are hypothesis-generating due to the small sample size, high attrition, and limited statistical power, requiring cautious interpretation.
Abstract

Keywords:
5-HydroxytryptophanActigraphyChildrenL-TryptophanMelatoninNeurodevelopmental disorders

More Related Videos

Immunohistochemical Visualization of Hippocampal Neuron Activity After Spatial Learning in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders07:43

Immunohistochemical Visualization of Hippocampal Neuron Activity After Spatial Learning in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Published on: May 12, 2015

11.8K
Assaying Locomotor Activity to Study Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Parameters in Drosophila18:08

Assaying Locomotor Activity to Study Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Parameters in Drosophila

Published on: September 28, 2010

48.3K

Related Concept Videos

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
454
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
1.7K
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
942
Types of Hormones02:13

Types of Hormones

Hormones can be classified into three main types based on their chemical structures: steroids, peptides, and amines. Their actions are mediated by the specific receptors they bind to on target cells.
83.7K
5-Number Summary01:04

5-Number Summary

In a dataset, the 5-number summary includes the minimum data value, the data value of the first quartile, the median data value or data value of the second quartile, the data value of the third quartile, and the maximum data value. These 5 data values can be visualized as a box and whisker plot.
In a box plot, the minimum and maximum data values represent the lower and upper whiskers in the graph, and the median is designated as the center of the box in the chart. The first quartile and third...
5.7K
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
1.5K