Melatonin and Melatonergic Drugs on Sleep: Possible Mechanisms of Action

REFERENCES

• Arendt J. Melatonin and human rhythms. Chronobiology International 2006; 23: 21–37
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Arendt J., Skene D. J. Melatonin as a chronobiotic. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2005; 9: 25–39
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Attenburrow M. E., Cowen P. J., Sharpley A. L. Low dose melatonin improves sleep in healthy middle-aged subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1996; 126: 179–181
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Axelrod J. The pineal gland: A neurochemical transducer. Science 1974; 184: 1341–1348
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Balzamo E., Santucci V., Seri B., Vuillon-Cacciuttolo G., Bert J. Nonhuman primates: Laboratory animals of choice for neurophysiologic studies of sleep. Laboratory Animal Science 1977; 27: 879–886
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Bellipanni G., Di Marzo F., Blasi F., Di Marzo A. Effects of melatonin in perimenopausal and menopausal women: Our personal experience. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2005; 1057: 393–402
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bellon A. Searching for new options for treating insomnia: Are melatonin and ramelteon beneficial?. Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2006; 12: 229–243
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Berson D. M., Dunn F. A., Takao M. Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock. Science 2002; 295: 1070–1073
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brydon L., Roka F., Petit L., de Coppet P., Tissot M., Barrett P., et al. Dual signaling of human Mel1a melatonin receptors via Gi2, Gi3 and Gq/11 proteins. Molecular Endocrinology 1999; 13: 2025–2038
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brzezinski A., Vangel M. G., Wurtman R. J., Norrie G., Zhdanova I., Ben Shushan A., et al. Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep: A meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2005; 9: 41–50
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Buscemi N., Vandermeer B., Hooton N., Pandya R., Tjosvold L., Hartling L., et al. Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: Meta-analysis. British Medical Journal 2006; 332: 385–393
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Buysse D. J., Nofzinger E. A., Germain A., Meltzer C. C., Wood A., Ombao H., et al. Regional brain glucose metabolism during morning and evening wakefulness in humans: Preliminary findings. Sleep 2004; 27: 1245–1254
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cajochen C., Krauchi K., Mori D., Graw P., Wirz-Justice A. Melatonin and S-20098 increase REM sleep and wake-up propensity without modifying NREM sleep homeostasis. American Journal of Physiology 1997; 272: R1189–R1196
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cardinali D. P., Pevet P. Basic aspects of melatonin action. Sleep Medicine Review 1998; 2: 175–190
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Cricco M., Simonsick E. M., Foley D. J. The impact of insomnia on cognitive functioning in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatric Society 2001; 49: 1185–1189
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dardente H., Klosen P., Caldelas I., Pevet P., Masson-Pevet M. Phenotype of Per1- and Per2-expressing neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of a diurnal rodent (Arvicanthis ansorgei): Comparison with a nocturnal species, the rat. Cell and Tissue Research 2002; 310: 85–92
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Deboer T., Vansteensel M. J., Detari L., Meijer J. H. Sleep states alter activity of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Nature Neuroscience 2003; 6: 1086–1090
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dollins A. B., Zhdanova I. V., Wurtman R. J., Lynch H. J., Deng M. H. Effect of inducing nocturnal serum melatonin concentrations in daytime on sleep, mood, body temperature, and performance. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences USA 1994; 91: 1824–1828
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dubocovich M. L. Agomelatine targets a range of major depressive disorder symptoms. Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs 2006; 7: 670–680
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dubocovich M. L., Cardinali D. P., Delagrange P., Krause D. N., Strosberg D., Sugden D., . Melatonin receptors. The IUPHAR Compendium of Receptor Characterization and Clasification 2nd, IUPHAR, et al. IUPHAR Media, London 2000; 271–277
   Google Scholar
• Dubocovich M. L., Yun K., Al Ghoul W. M., Benloucif S., Masana M. I. Selective MT2 melatonin receptor antagonists block melatonin-mediated phase advances of circadian rhythms. FASEB Journal 1998; 12: 1211–1220
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Duffy J. F., Zeitzer J. M., Rimmer D. W., Klerman E. B., Dijk D. J., Czeisler C. A. Peak of circadian melatonin rhythm occurs later within the sleep of older subjects. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism 2002; 282: E297–E303
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ebisawa T., Karne S., Lerner M. R., Reppert S. M. Expression cloning of a high-affinity melatonin receptor from Xenopus dermal melanophores. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences USA 1994; 91: 6133–6137
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Edgar D. M., Dement W. C., Fuller C. A. Effect of SCN lesions on sleep in squirrel monkeys: Evidence for opponent processes in sleep-wake regulation. Journal of Neuroscience 1993; 13: 1065–1079
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Egger S. S., Bachmann A., Hubmann N., Schlienger R. G., Krahenbuhl S. Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly patients: Comparison between general medical and geriatric wards. Drugs and Aging 2006; 23: 823–837
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Erman M., Seiden D., Zammit G., Sainati S., Zhang J. An efficacy, safety, and dose-response study of Ramelteon in patients with chronic primary insomnia. Sleep Medicine 2006; 7: 17–24
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ferry G., Ubeaud C., Lambert P. H., Bertin S., Coge F., Chomarat P., et al. Molecular evidence that melatonin is enzymatically oxidized in a different manner than tryptophan: Investigations with both indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and myeloperoxidase. Biochemical Journal 2005; 388: 205–215
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• France C. P., Weltman R. H., Koek W., Cruz C. M., McMahon L. R. Acute and chronic effects of ramelteon in Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta): Dependence liability studies. Behavioral Neuroscience 2006; 120: 535–541
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Fuller P. M., Gooley J. J., Saper C. B. Neurobiology of the sleep-wake cycle: Sleep architecture, circadian regulation, and regulatory feedback. Journal of Biological Rhythms 2006; 21: 482–493
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ganguly S., Weller J. L., Ho A., Chemineau P., Malpaux B., Klein D. C. Melatonin synthesis: 14–3-3-dependent activation and inhibition of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase mediated by phosphoserine-205. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences USA 2005; 102: 1222–1227
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Garfinkel D., Laudon M., Nof D., Zisapel N. Improvement of sleep quality in elderly people by controlled-release melatonin. Lancet 1995; 346: 541–544
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gastel J. A., Roseboom P. H., Rinaldi P. A., Weller J. L., Klein D. C. Melatonin production: Proteasomal proteolysis in serotonin N-acetyltransferase regulation. Science 1998; 279: 1358–1360
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gauer F., Masson-Pevet M., Stehle J., Pevet P. Daily variations in melatonin receptor density of rat pars tuberalis and suprachiasmatic nuclei are distinctly regulated. Brain Research 1994; 641: 92–98
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Godson C., Reppert S. M. The Mel1a melatonin receptor is coupled to parallel signal transduction pathways. Endocrinology 1997; 138: 397–404
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Goldstein R., Pavel S. REM sleep suppression in cats by melatonin. Brain Research Bulletin 1981; 7: 723–724
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Golombek D. A., Pevet P., Cardinali D. P. Melatonin effect on behavior: Possible mediation by the central GABAergic system. Neuroscience Biobehavioral Reviews 1996; 20: 403–412
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gorfine T., Assaf Y., Goshen-Gottstein Y., Yeshurun Y., Zisapel N. Sleep-anticipating effects of melatonin in the human brain. Neuroimage 2006; 31: 410–418
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Greenblatt D. J., Harmatz J. S., Karim A. Age and gender effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ramelteon, a hypnotic agent acting via melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2007; 47: 485–496
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Guilleminault C. Efficacy of agomelatine versus venlafaxine on subjective sleep of patients with major depressive disorder. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2005; 15(Suppl. 3)S419
   Google Scholar
• Haimov I., Laudon M., Zisapel N., Souroujon M., Nof D., Shlitner A., et al. Sleep disorders and melatonin rhythms in elderly people. British Medical Journal 1994; 309: 167
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hunt A. E., Al Ghoul W. M., Gillette M. U., Dubocovich M. L. Activation of MT2 melatonin receptors in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus phase advances the circadian clock. American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology 2001; 280: C110–C118
   Google Scholar
• Ibata Y., Okamura H., Tanaka M., Tamada Y., Hayashi S., Iijima N., et al. Functional morphology of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology 1999; 20: 241–268
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Iguchi H., Kato K. I., Ibayashi H. Melatonin serum levels and metabolic clearance rate in patients with liver cirrhosis. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1982; 54: 1025–1027
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kalsbeek A., Perreau-Lenz S., Buijs R. M. A network of (autonomic) clock outputs. Chronobiology International 2006; 23: 521–535
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Karim A., Tolbert D., Cao C. Disposition kinetics and tolerance of escalating single doses of ramelteon, a high-affinity MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptor agonist indicated for treatment of insomnia. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2006; 46: 140–148
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kato K., Hirai K., Nishiyama K., Uchikawa O., Fukatsu K., Ohkawa S., et al. Neurochemical properties of ramelteon (TAK-375), a selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist. Neuropharmacology 2005; 48: 301–310
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Klein D. C., Moore R. Y. Pineal N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase: Control by the retinohypothalamic tract and the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Brain Research 1979; 174: 245–262
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lagarde D., Milhaud C. Electroencephalographic effects of modafinil, an alpha-1-adrenergic psychostimulant, on the sleep of rhesus monkeys. Sleep 1990; 13: 441–448
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lam R. W. Sleep disturbances and depression: a challenge for antidepressants. International Clinical Psychopharmacology 2006; 21(Suppl. 1)S25–S29
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lavie P. Ultrashort sleep-waking schedule. III. “Gates” and “forbidden zones” for sleep. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 1986; 63: 414–425
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Lee H. S., Billings H. J., Lehman M. N. The suprachiasmatic nucleus: A clock of multiple components. Journal of Biological Rhythms 2003; 18: 435–449
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leger D., Laudon M., Zisapel N. Nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in insomnia and its relation to the response to melatonin replacement therapy. American Journal of Medicine 2004; 116: 91–95
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lemoine P., Nir T., Laudon M., Zisapel N. Prolonged-release melatonin improves sleep quality and morning alertness in insomnia patients aged 55 years and older and has no withdrawal effects. Journal of Sleep Research 2007; 16: 362–380
   Google Scholar
• Lerner A. B., Case J. D., Takahashi Y., Lee T. H., Mori N. Isolation of melatonin, a pineal factor that lightens melanocytes. Journal of the American Chemical Society 1958; 80: 2587
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lewy A. J. Melatonin as a marker and phase-resetter of circadian rhythms in humans. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 1999; 460: 425–434
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Liu C., Weaver D. R., Jin X., Shearman L. P., Pieschl R. L., Gribkoff V. K., et al. Molecular dissection of two distinct actions of melatonin on the suprachiasmatic circadian clock. Neuron 1997; 19: 91–102
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lopes M. C., Quera-Salva M. A., Guilleminault C. Cycling alternating pattern in the NREM sleep of patients within major depressive disorder: Baseline results and change overtime with a new antidepressant. Sleep Medicine 2005; 6(Suppl. 2)87–88
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Lopez-Burillo S., Tan D. X., Mayo J. C., Sainz R. M., Manchester L. C., Reiter R. J. Melatonin, xanthurenic acid, resveratrol, EGCG, vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid differentially reduce oxidative DNA damage induced by Fenton reagents: A study of their individual and synergistic actions. Journal of Pineal Research 2003; 34: 269–277
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Marczynski T. J., Yamaguchi N., Ling G. M., Grodzinska L. Sleep induced by the administration of melatonin (5-methoxy-acetyltryptamine) to the hypothalamus in unrestrained cats. Experientia 1964; 20: 435–437
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Maronde E., Stehle J. H. The mammalian pineal gland: Known facts, unknown facets. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2007; 18: 142–149
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Masana M. I., Benloucif S., Dubocovich M. L. Circadian rhythm of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the C3H/HeN mouse. Journal of Pineal Research 2000; 28: 185–192
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• McArthur A. J., Hunt A. E., Gillette M. U. Melatonin action and signal transduction in the rat suprachiasmatic circadian clock: Activation of protein kinase C at dusk and dawn. Endocrinology 1997; 138: 627–634
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mendelson W. B. Melatonin microinjection into the medial preoptic area increases sleep in the rat. Life Sciences 2002; 71: 2067–2070
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Miyamoto M., Nishikawa H., Doken Y., Hirai K., Uchikawa O., Ohkawa S. The sleep-promoting action of ramelteon (TAK-375) in freely moving cats. Sleep 2004; 27: 1319–1325
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Monti J. M., Alvarino F., Cardinali D. P., Savio I., Pintos A. Polysomnographic study of the effect of melatonin on sleep in elderly patients with chronic primary insomnia. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 1999; 28: 85–98
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Moore R. Y. Neural control of the pineal gland. Behavioral Brain Research 1996; 73: 125–130
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nosjean O., Ferro M., Coge F., Beauverger P., Henlin J. M., Lefoulon F., et al. Identification of the melatonin-binding site MT3 as the quinone reductase 2. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2000; 275: 31311–31317
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pandi-Perumal S. R., Seils L. K., Kayumov L., Ralph M. R., Lowe A., Moller H., et al. Senescence, sleep, and circadian rhythms. Ageing Research Reviews 2002; 1: 559–604
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pandi-Perumal S. R., Srinivasan V., Cardinali D. P., Monti M. J. Could agomelatine be the ideal antidepressant?. Expert Reviews in Neurotherapeutics 2006a; 6: 1595–1608
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Pandi-Perumal S. R., Srinivasan V., Maestroni G. J. M., Cardinali D. P., Poeggeler B., Hardeland R. Melatonin: Nature's most versatile biological signal?. FEBS Journal 2006b; 273: 2813–2838
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pandi-Perumal S. R., Srinivasan V., Poeggeler B., Hardeland R., Cardinali D. P. Drug insight: The use of melatonergic agonists for the treatment of insomnia—focus on ramelteon. Nature Clinical Practice Neurology 2007; 3(4)221–228
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Pandi-Perumal S. R., Zisapel N., Srinivasan V., Cardinali D. P. Melatonin and sleep in aging population. Experimental Gerontology 2005; 40: 911–925
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pevet P., Bothorel B., Slotten H., Saboureau M. The chronobiotic properties of melatonin. Cell and Tissue Research 2002; 309: 183–191
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Poirel V. J., Masson-Pevet M., Pevet P., Gauer F. MT1 melatonin receptor mRNA expression exhibits a circadian variation in the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei. Brain Research 2002; 946: 64–71
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Quera-Salva M. A., Vanier B., Chapotot F. Effect of agomelatine on the sleep EEG in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD). European Neuropsychopharmacology 2005; 15(Suppl. 3)S435
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rajaratnam S. M., Dijk D. J., Middleton B., Stone B. M., Arendt J. Melatonin phase-shifts human circadian rhythms with no evidence of changes in the duration of endogenous melatonin secretion or the 24-hour production of reproductive hormones. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2003; 88: 4303–4309
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Reghunandanan V., Reghunandanan R. Neurotransmitters of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Journal of Circadian Rhythms 2006; 4: 2
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Reppert S. M., Godson C., Mahle C. D., Weaver D. R., Slaugenhaupt S. A., Gusella J. F. Molecular characterization of a second melatonin receptor expressed in human retina and brain: The Mel1b melatonin receptor. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences USA 1995; 92: 8734–8738
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Reppert S. M., Weaver D. R., Ebisawa T. Cloning and characterization of a mammalian melatonin receptor that mediates reproductive and circadian responses. Neuron 1994; 13: 1177–1185
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Reppert S. M., Weaver D. R., Ebisawa T., Mahle C. D., Kolakowski L. F., Jr. Cloning of a melatonin-related receptor from human pituitary. FEBS Letters 1996; 386: 219–224
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Roka F., Brydon L., Waldhoer M., Strosberg A. D., Freissmuth M., Jockers R., et al. Tight association of the human Mel1a-melatonin receptor and Gi: Precoupling and constitutive activity. Molecular Pharmacology 1999; 56: 1014–1024
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rosen J., Than N. N., Koch D., Poeggeler B., Laatsch H., Hardeland R. Interactions of melatonin and its metabolites with the ABTS cation radical: Extension of the radical scavenger cascade and formation of a novel class of oxidation products, C2-substituted 3-indolinones. Journal of Pineal Research 2006; 41: 374–381
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Roth T., Seiden D., Sainati S., Wang-Weigand S., Zhang J., Zee P. Effects of ramelteon on patient-reported sleep latency in older adults with chronic insomnia. Sleep Medicine 2006; 7: 312–318
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Roth T., Stubbs C., Walsh J. K. Ramelteon (TAK-375), a selective MT1/MT2-receptor agonist, reduces latency to persistent sleep in a model of transient insomnia related to a novel sleep environment. Sleep 2005; 28: 303–307
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sack R. L., Lewy A. J., Erb D. L., Vollmer W. M., Singer C. M. Human melatonin production decreases with age. Journal of Pineal Research 1986; 3: 379–388
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Saper C. B., Scammell T. E., Lu J. Hypothalamic regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms. Nature 2005; 437: 1257–1263
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schomerus C., Korf H. W. Mechanisms regulating melatonin synthesis in the mammalian pineal organ. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2005; 1057: 372–383
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Srinivasan V., Smits M., Spence W., Lowe A. D., Kayumov L., Pandi-Perumal S. R., et al. Melatonin in mood disorders. World Journal of Biological Psychiatry 2006; 7: 138–151
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Srinivasan V., Spence D. W., Pandi-Perumal S. R., Trakht I., Cardinali D. P. Jet lag: Therapeutic use of melatonin and possible application of melatonin analogues. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 2008
   Google Scholar
• Stephan F. K., Zucker I. Rat drinking rhythms: Central visual pathways and endocrine factors mediating responsiveness to environmental illumination. Physiology and Behavior 1972; 8: 315–326
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Tan D. X., Manchester L. C., Terron M. P., Flores L. J., Reiter R. J. One molecule, many derivatives: A never-ending interaction of melatonin with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species?. Journal of Pineal Research 2007; 42: 28–42
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tozawa T., Mishima K., Satoh K., Echizenya M., Shimizu T., Hishikawa Y. Stability of sleep timing against the melatonin secretion rhythm with advancing age: Clinical implications. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2003; 88: 4689–4695
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Turek F. W., Gillette M. U. Melatonin, sleep, and circadian rhythms: Rationale for development of specific melatonin agonists. Sleep Medicine 2004; 5: 523–532
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tzischinsky O., Shlitner A., Lavie P. The association between the nocturnal sleep gate and nocturnal onset of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. Journal of Biological Rhythms 1993; 8: 199–209
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• van den Top M., Buijs R. M., Ruijter J. M., Delagrange P., Spanswick D., Hermes M. L. Melatonin generates an outward potassium current in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus neurones in vitro independent of their circadian rhythm. Neuroscience 2001; 107: 99–108
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Someren E. J. Circadian and sleep disturbances in the elderly. Experimental Gerontology 2000; 35: 1229–1237
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vgontzas A. N., Kales A. Sleep and its disorders. Annual Review of Medicine 1999; 50: 387–400
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Viswanathan N., Davis F. C. Single prenatal injections of melatonin or the D1-dopamine receptor agonist SKF 38393 to pregnant hamsters sets the offsprings’ circadian rhythms to phases 180 degrees apart. Journal of Comparative Physiology [A] 1997; 180: 339–346
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• von Gall C., Stehle J. H., Weaver D. R. Mammalian melatonin receptors: Molecular biology and signal transduction. Cell and Tissue Research 2002; 309: 151–162
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wade A. G., Ford I., Crawford G., MaMahon A. D., Nir T., Laudon M., et al. Efficacy of prolonged release melatonin in insomnia patients aged 55–80 years: Quality of sleep and next-day alertness outcomes. Current Medical Research and Opinion 2007; 23: 2597–2605
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wauquier A. Aging and changes in phasic events during sleep. Physiology and Behavior 1993; 54: 803–806
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Wurtman R. J., Zhdanova I. Improvement of sleep quality by melatonin. Lancet 1995; 346: 1491
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wyatt J. K., Ritz-de Cecco A., Czeisler C. A., Dijk D. J. Circadian temperature and melatonin rhythms, sleep, and neurobehavioral function in humans living on a 20-h day. American Journal of Physiology 1999; 277: R1152–R1163
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ying S. W., Rusak B., Delagrange P., Mocaer E., Renard P., Guardiola-Lemaitre B. Melatonin analogues as agonists and antagonists in the circadian system and other brain areas. European Journal of Pharmacology 1996; 296: 33–42
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yoon I. Y., Kripke D. F., Elliott J. A., Youngstedt S. D., Rex K. M., Hauger R. L. Age-related changes of circadian rhythms and sleep–wake cycles. Journal of the American Geriatric Society 2003; 51: 1085–1091
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yukuhiro N., Kimura H., Nishikawa H., Ohkawa S., Yoshikubo S., Miyamoto M. Effects of ramelteon (TAK-375) on nocturnal sleep in freely moving monkeys. Brain Research 2004; 1027: 59–66
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zee P. C., Manthena P. The brain's master circadian clock: implications and opportunities for therapy of sleep disorders. Sleep Medicine Review 2007; 11: 59–70
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhdanova I. V. Melatonin as a hypnotic: Pro. Sleep Medicine Review 2005; 9: 51–65
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhdanova I. V., Cantor M. L., Leclair O. U., Kartashov A. I., Wurtman R. J. Behavioral effects of melatonin treatment in non-human primates. Sleep Research Online 1998; 1: 114–118
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Zhdanova I. V., Giorgetti M. Melatonin alters behavior and cAMP levels in nucleus accumbens induced by cocaine treatment. Brain Research 2002; 956: 323–331
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Zhdanova I. V., Wurtman R. J., Lynch H. J., Ives J. R., Dollins A. B., Morabito C., et al. Sleep-inducing effects of low doses of melatonin ingested in the evening. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1995; 57: 552–558
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhdanova I. V., Wurtman R. J., Morabito C., Piotrovska V. R., Lynch H. J. Effects of low oral doses of melatonin, given 2–4 hours before habitual bedtime, on sleep in normal young humans. Sleep 1996; 19: 423–431
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zisapel N. Melatonin-dopamine interactions: From basic neurochemistry to a clinical setting. Cell Molecular Neurobiology 2001; 21: 605–616
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zisapel N. Sleep and sleep disturbances: Biological basis and clinical implications. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 2007; 64: 1174–1186
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zupancic M., Guilleminault C. Agomelatine: A preliminary review of a new antidepressant. CNS Drugs 2006; 20: 981–992
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar