Melatonin based therapies for delirium and dementia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of melatonin and its analogs in managing geriatric psychiatric diseases like delirium and dementia, focusing on their safety, efficacy, and neuroprotective effects.
Results Summary
The study found that melatonin and its analogs may help prevent and treat delirium and manage dementia, with fewer side effects and a better safety profile compared to antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. Evidence from animal and human studies suggests low melatonin levels are linked to cognitive impairments and behavioral problems.
Population
Geriatric patients with psychiatric diseases such as delirium and dementia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Melatonin and its analogs | increase | multiple pleiotropic effects | - | - | has been shown to have multiple pleiotropic effects | #1 |
Melatonin and its analogs | increase | sleep promotion | - | - | has been shown to have effect on | #2 |
Melatonin | increase | neuroprotection | - | - | can also help with | #3 |
low levels of melatonin | increase | delirium | - | - | have been linked to | #4 |
low levels of melatonin | increase | mild cognitive impairment | - | - | have been linked to | #5 |
low levels of melatonin | increase | dementia | - | - | have been linked to | #6 |
low levels of melatonin | increase | certain behavioral problems | - | - | have been linked to | #7 |
melatonin and its analogs | decrease | delirium | - | - | may be useful in the prevention, treatment of | #8 |
melatonin and its analogs | decrease | dementia | - | - | may be useful in the management of | #9 |
These medications | decrease | less side effects | - | - | seem to have the advantage of | #10 |
These medications | increase | better safety profile | - | - | seem to have the advantage of | #11 |
Melatonin levels have been shown to decline with aging. Melatonin and its analogs in addition to their effect on sleep promotion, has been shown to have multiple pleiotropic effects. It can also help with neuroprotection through different mechanisms. Evidence in animal and human studies suggests that low levels of melatonin have been linked to delirium, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and with certain behavioral problems. Recent clinical trials have showed that both melatonin and its analogs may be useful in the prevention, treatment of delirium, and the management of dementia. These medications seem to have the advantage of less side effects and better safety profile when compared to antipsychotics and sedatives like benzodiazepines. These medications are available over the counter in North America, Europe, and Asia, and some of these medications are approved by FDA. This manuscript will discuss the promising role of these melatonergic medications alone or in combination with other medications for the management of Geriatric Psychiatric diseases like delirium and dementia.