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Low dose melatonin improves sleep in healthy middle-aged subjects
M E Attenburrow1, P J Cowen, A L Sharpley
1University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Psychopharmacology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Low-dose melatonin (1.0 mg) taken in the evening significantly improved sleep quality and duration in healthy adults. This suggests melatonin may help treat sleep disorders.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
- Its potential hypnotic effects in humans require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of low-dose melatonin on sleep parameters.
- To assess the hypnotic potential of melatonin in healthy middle-aged adults.
Main Methods:
- A placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study.
- 15 healthy middle-aged volunteers received melatonin (0.3 mg and 1.0 mg) or placebo orally in the evening.
- Sleep was measured using polysomnography.
Main Results:
- The 1.0 mg dose of melatonin significantly increased Actual Sleep Time and Sleep Efficiency compared to placebo.
- Melatonin also significantly increased non-REM Sleep and REM Sleep Latency.
- The 0.3 mg dose showed no significant effects.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose melatonin (1.0 mg) demonstrates hypnotic effects in healthy middle-aged humans.
- These findings support the potential role of melatonin in managing sleep disorders.