Givler Donald, Givler Amy, Luther Patrick M, Wenger Danielle M, Ahmadzadeh Shahab, Shekoohi Sahar, Edinoff Amber N, Dorius Bradley K, Jean Baptiste Carlo, Cornett Elyse M, Kaye Adam M, Kaye Alan D
Department of Family Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport/Monroe, Monroe, LA 71210, USA.
School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA.
Neurol Int. 2023 Mar 15;15(1):518-533. doi: 10.3390/neurolint15010031.
Exogenous melatonin is commonly used to treat insomnia, other sleep problems, and numerous medical illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, and mild cognitive impairment in adults and children. There is evolving information regarding issues with the use of chronic melatonin.
The present investigation was a narrative review.
Melatonin usage has risen dramatically in recent years. Many countries only allow melatonin prescriptions. In the United States (U.S.), it is classified as a dietary supplement accessible over the counter and can be derived from animals, microorganisms, or, most commonly, made synthetically. No regulatory agency oversees its manufacturing or sale in the U.S. melatonin concentration of marketed preparations varies widely between product labels and manufacturers. Melatonin's ability to induce sleep is detectable. However, it is modest for most people. Sleep length appears to be less important in sustained-release preparations. The optimal dosage is unknown, and routinely used amounts vary substantially. Melatonin's short-term negative effects are minimal, resolve at medicine cessation, and do not usually prevent usage overall. Much research on long-term melatonin administration has found no difference between exogenous melatonin and placebo in terms of long-term negative effects.
Melatonin at low to moderate dosages (approximately 5-6 mg daily or less) appears safe. Long-term usage appears to benefit certain patient populations, such as those with autism spectrum disorder. Studies investigating potential benefits in reducing cognitive decline and increased longevity are ongoing. However, it is widely agreed that the long-term effects of taking exogenous melatonin have been insufficiently studied and warrant additional investigation.
外源性褪黑素常用于治疗失眠、其他睡眠问题以及多种医学疾病，包括成人和儿童的阿尔茨海默病、自闭症谱系障碍和轻度认知障碍。关于长期使用褪黑素的问题，相关信息不断涌现。
本研究为叙述性综述。
近年来褪黑素的使用量急剧上升。许多国家仅允许凭处方使用褪黑素。在美国，它被归类为非处方膳食补充剂，可以来自动物、微生物，或者最常见的是人工合成。在美国，没有监管机构监督其生产或销售。市售制剂中褪黑素的浓度在产品标签和制造商之间差异很大。褪黑素诱导睡眠的能力是可检测到的。然而，对大多数人来说效果一般。在缓释制剂中，睡眠时间似乎不那么重要。最佳剂量尚不清楚，常规使用量差异很大。褪黑素的短期负面影响最小，停药后可缓解，通常不会妨碍总体使用。许多关于长期服用褪黑素的研究发现，在外源性褪黑素和安慰剂的长期负面影响方面没有差异。
低至中等剂量（约每日5 - 6毫克或更低）的褪黑素似乎是安全的。长期使用似乎对某些患者群体有益，例如患有自闭症谱系障碍的患者。正在进行研究以探讨其在减少认知衰退和延长寿命方面的潜在益处。然而，人们普遍认为，服用外源性褪黑素的长期影响尚未得到充分研究，需要进一步调查。
