Some evidence suggests melatonin may help improve sleep-wake cycles, sundowning symptoms, and cognitive performance in people with dementia, but more research is necessary.
Melatonin is a hormone that the pineal gland in the brain produces. It helps to regulate the circadian rhythm, also known as sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin is also available as a dietary supplement, which people may take to help with certain conditions, such as sleep disorders.
Some research suggests that melatonin may benefit people with dementia, such as by improving sleep-wake cycles and cognitive performance. Other research has found no evidence to support these benefits.
Further research is necessary to understand whether melatonin is safe or effective in people with dementia. However, experts may not recommend melatonin for people with dementia, as it may increase the risk of falls.
Below are some potential benefits of melatonin for people with dementia:
Improving sleep and wake cycles
According to a
People with Alzheimer’s disease experience significant changes to the natural rhythms of the body, including the circadian rhythm, and may have disturbances to their sleep-wake cycle.
Timed melatonin treatment with specific times of the circadian rhythm may improve sleep-wake patterns in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
However, a 2020 review found no evidence to suggest melatonin improved sleep in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Improving cognitive performance
In the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease, in which there are no symptoms of cognitive impairment, melatonin levels in cerebrospinal fluid
Researchers are unclear if low melatonin levels are a cause or result of Alzheimer’s disease, but a melatonin deficiency does worsen dementia and increases cognitive impairment.
Preliminary research studies suggest melatonin may have neuroprotective effects and may have benefits for stroke-related dementia. Melatonin’s antioxidant effects may improve neuroinflammation and speed up the restoration of brain tissue.
In experimental stroke models, melatonin showed neuroprotective effects and reduced the area of dead tissue due to stroke.
In people with stroke, the research suggests melatonin may help reduce inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and cell death pathways, and may help lessen cognitive impairment.
Further research and human studies are necessary to fully understand the effects and safety of melatonin for cognitive impairment and stroke-related dementia.
A 2021 review of 22 studies looked at the effects of melatonin in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Over 12 weeks of melatonin treatment led to improvements in mini-mental state examination scores, a test that measures cognitive impairment. There were significant improvements in those with mild stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Reducing sundowning symptoms
Sundowning can be a symptom of dementia, in which people become more agitated and confused in the late afternoon or evening.
According to a
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s
According to a
The article notes that melatonin is generally safe for short to medium use, from a few weeks to under 18 months. However, there are no long-term studies on humans to assess its safety.
Melatonin is available over the counter as a supplement and food additive. However, these products are not regulated. This means the quality, dosage, and bioavailability of melatonin can vary widely between each product, and there may be a risk of contamination.
Easy access to melatonin may also lead to abuse of the medication. With a lack of monitoring from a healthcare professional, there is the potential for individual reactions to melatonin or interactions with other drugs.
There are also many claims about the benefits of melatonin that may not have enough scientific evidence to support them.
If people are considering taking melatonin, they can consult a doctor about the potential benefits and risks.
A person may want to discuss the possible effects of melatonin on sundowning symptoms, sleep problems, cognitive function, or other symptoms of dementia they are looking to manage.
If an individual takes melatonin and others notice any adverse side effects, or if they feel there is an
Does melatonin cause dementia?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there is currently no evidence to suggest melatonin has any effect on the risk of developing dementia.
Why do doctors not recommend melatonin for dementia patients?
Experts may not recommend melatonin to people with dementia due to an
What is the best melatonin dosage for people with dementia?
The melatonin dosage for people with dementia in clinical trials
Dementia resources
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Melatonin may have potential benefits for people with dementia, such as improving sleep and wake cycles, reducing sundowning symptoms, and improving cognitive performance.
However, there is a lack of research into the safety and effectiveness of melatonin for people with dementia, and experts may not recommend it as a treatment due to an increased risk of falls.
People can discuss melatonin with their doctor to understand whether it might have any benefits for a specific individual with dementia.