Benefits of the Neurogenic Potential of Melatonin for Treating Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

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Abstract

There are several neurological diseases under which processes related to adult brain neurogenesis, such cell proliferation, neural differentiation and neuronal maturation, are affected. Melatonin can exert a relevant benefit for treating neurological disorders, given its well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as its pro-survival effects. In addition, melatonin is able to modulate cell proliferation and neural differentiation processes in neural stem/progenitor cells while improving neuronal maturation of neural precursor cells and newly created postmitotic neurons. Thus, melatonin shows relevant pro-neurogenic properties that may have benefits for neurological conditions associated with impairments in adult brain neurogenesis. For instance, the anti-aging properties of melatonin seem to be linked to its neurogenic properties. Modulation of neurogenesis by melatonin is beneficial under conditions of stress, anxiety and depression as well as for the ischemic brain or after a brain stroke. Pro-neurogenic actions of melatonin may also be beneficial for treating dementias, after a traumatic brain injury, and under conditions of epilepsy, schizophrenia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Melatonin may represent a pro-neurogenic treatment effective for retarding the progression of neuropathology associated with Down syndrome. Finally, more studies are necessary to elucidate the benefits of melatonin treatments under brain disorders related to impairments in glucose and insulin homeostasis.

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Michael J Owen, Akira Sawa, Preben B Mortensen (2016)

Summary Schizophrenia is a complex, heterogeneous behavioural and cognitive syndrome whose origins appear to lie in genetic and/or environmental disruption of brain development. Dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission appears to contribute to the genesis of psychotic symptoms but the evidence also points to a more widespread and variable involvement of brain areas and circuits. There is emerging evidence that disturbances of synaptic function might underlie abnormalities of neuronal connectivity possibly involving interneurons, but the precise nature, location and timing of these events is uncertain. Current treatment consists largely in the administration of antipsychotic drugs combined with psychological therapies, social support and rehabilitation, but there is a pressing need for more effective treatments and for services to be delivered more effectively. Progress in understanding the disorder has been great in recent years with advances in genomics, epidemiology and neuroscience, and the opportunities for further scientific advance are great: but so are the challenges.

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Schizophrenia

René S Kahn, Iris Sommer, Sir Robin M Murray … (2015)

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder with a heterogeneous genetic and neurobiological background that influences early brain development, and is expressed as a combination of psychotic symptoms - such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganization - and motivational and cognitive dysfunctions. The mean lifetime prevalence of the disorder is just below 1%, but large regional differences in prevalence rates are evident owing to disparities in urbanicity and patterns of immigration. Although gross brain pathology is not a characteristic of schizophrenia, the disorder involves subtle pathological changes in specific neural cell populations and in cell-cell communication. Schizophrenia, as a cognitive and behavioural disorder, is ultimately about how the brain processes information. Indeed, neuroimaging studies have shown that information processing is functionally abnormal in patients with first-episode and chronic schizophrenia. Although pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia can relieve psychotic symptoms, such drugs generally do not lead to substantial improvements in social, cognitive and occupational functioning. Psychosocial interventions such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, cognitive remediation and supported education and employment have added treatment value, but are inconsistently applied. Given that schizophrenia starts many years before a diagnosis is typically made, the identification of individuals at risk and those in the early phases of the disorder, and the exploration of preventive approaches are crucial.

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Schizophrenia—An Overview

Robert McCutcheon, Tiago Reis Marques, Oliver Howes (2019)

Schizophrenia is a common, severe mental illness that most clinicians will encounter regularly during their practice. This report provides an overview of the clinical characteristics, epidemiology, genetics, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology of schizophrenia to provide a basis to understand the disorder and its treatment. This educational review is integrated with a clinical case to highlight how recent research findings can inform clinical understanding.