수면정신생리

수면정신생리 (22권1호 5-10)

Melatonin in Psychiatric Disorders

멜라토닌과 정신과 질환

Lee, Jin-Seong;Kim, Sung-Gon;Kim, Ji-Hoon;Jung, Woo-Young;Park, Ji-Hoon;

Department of Neuropsychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital;Department of Neuropsychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital;Department of Neuropsychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital;Department of Neuropsychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital;Department of Neuropsychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital;

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14401/KASMED.2015.22.1.5

Abstract

The secretion of melatonin exhibits a circadian rhythm entrained with the sleep-wake cycle. An alteration of this secretory rhythm has been found in various psychiatric disorders. This review summarizes the regulation of melatonin and its relationship to the circadian rhythm, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, Alzheimer''s disease and autism. The review also looks at the effect of melatonin and melatonin agonist on sleep and symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder. In Alzheimer''s disease, the circadian rhythm alterations are associated with the change of melatonin levels and melatonin receptors. It has been reported that melatonin and melatonin synthetic enzyme levels decrease in autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords

Melatonin;Circadian rhythm;Depression;Bipolar disorder;Alzheimer''s disease;Autism;