Lewy A J, Ahmed S, Sack R L
Sleep and Mood Disorders Laboratory, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Behav Brain Res. 1996;73(1-2):131-4. doi: 10.1016/0166-4328(96)00084-8.
Melatonin is produced only during nighttime darkness. Its onset during the evening is a useful marker for circadian phase position, when melatonin levels are sampled frequently and under conditions of dim light or darkness. This marker is termed the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Recently, we have described a phase response curve (PRC) to melatonin in humans that is about 12 h out of phase with the PRC to light. Exogenous melatonin administration and bright light exposure can be used to shift circadian rhythms according to their respective PRCs. These phase-resetting agents can be used alone or together to treat circadian phase disorders, which include advanced and delayed sleep phase syndrome, shift work maladaptation, jet lag and winter depression. Endogenous melatonin may function to augment entrainment of circadian rhythms by the light-dark cycle.
褪黑素仅在夜间黑暗时产生。傍晚时其开始分泌是昼夜节律相位位置的一个有用标志，此时在昏暗灯光或黑暗条件下频繁采集褪黑素水平。这个标志被称为暗光褪黑素开始分泌（DLMO）。最近，我们描述了人类对褪黑素的相位反应曲线（PRC），它与对光的PRC相差约12小时。外源性给予褪黑素和强光照射可根据各自的PRC来调节昼夜节律。这些相位重置剂可单独使用或联合使用，以治疗昼夜节律相位障碍，包括睡眠相位提前综合征和延迟综合征、轮班工作适应不良、时差反应和冬季抑郁。内源性褪黑素可能通过明暗周期增强昼夜节律的同步化。
