Abstract
The master biological clock situated in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus plays a vital role in orchestrating the circadian rhythms of multiple biological processes. Increasing evidence points to a role of the biological clock in the development of depression. In seasonal depression and in bipolar disorders it seems likely that the circadian system plays a vital role in the genesis of the disorder. For major unipolar depressive disorder (MDD) available data suggest a primary involvement of the circadian system but further and larger studies are necessary to conclude.
Melatonin and melatonin agonists have chronobiotic effects, which mean that they can readjust the circadian system. Seasonal affective disorders and mood disturbances caused by circadian malfunction are theoretically treatable by manipulating the circadian system using chronobiotic drugs, chronotherapy or bright light therapy. In MDD, melatonin alone has no antidepressant action but novel melatoninergic compounds demonstrate antidepressant properties. Of these, the most advanced is the novel melatonin agonist agomelatine, which combines joint MT1 and MT2 agonism with 5-HT2C receptor antagonism. Adding a chronobiotic effect to the inhibition of 5-HT2C receptors may explain the rapid impact of agomelatine on depression, since studies showed that agomelatine had an early impact on sleep quality and alertness at awakening. Further studies are necessary in order to better characterize the effect of agomelatine and other novel melatoninergic drugs on the circadian system of MDD patients.
In summary, antidepressants with intrinsic chronobiotic properties offer a novel approach to treatment of depression.
Keywords: Major depression disorder, circadian rhythms, melatonin, melatonin agonists, orchestrating, chronobiotic, agomelatine, thermoregulatory, hypersomia, polysynaptic, fluoxetine, actigraphy, paroxetine, venlafaxine, escitalopram, tasimelteon, electroencephalogram
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Circadian Rhythms, Melatonin and Depression
Volume: 17 Issue: 15
Author(s): M. A. Quera Salva, S. Hartley, F. Barbot, J. C. Alvarez, F. Lofaso and C. Guilleminault
Affiliation:
Keywords: Major depression disorder, circadian rhythms, melatonin, melatonin agonists, orchestrating, chronobiotic, agomelatine, thermoregulatory, hypersomia, polysynaptic, fluoxetine, actigraphy, paroxetine, venlafaxine, escitalopram, tasimelteon, electroencephalogram
Abstract: The master biological clock situated in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus plays a vital role in orchestrating the circadian rhythms of multiple biological processes. Increasing evidence points to a role of the biological clock in the development of depression. In seasonal depression and in bipolar disorders it seems likely that the circadian system plays a vital role in the genesis of the disorder. For major unipolar depressive disorder (MDD) available data suggest a primary involvement of the circadian system but further and larger studies are necessary to conclude.
Melatonin and melatonin agonists have chronobiotic effects, which mean that they can readjust the circadian system. Seasonal affective disorders and mood disturbances caused by circadian malfunction are theoretically treatable by manipulating the circadian system using chronobiotic drugs, chronotherapy or bright light therapy. In MDD, melatonin alone has no antidepressant action but novel melatoninergic compounds demonstrate antidepressant properties. Of these, the most advanced is the novel melatonin agonist agomelatine, which combines joint MT1 and MT2 agonism with 5-HT2C receptor antagonism. Adding a chronobiotic effect to the inhibition of 5-HT2C receptors may explain the rapid impact of agomelatine on depression, since studies showed that agomelatine had an early impact on sleep quality and alertness at awakening. Further studies are necessary in order to better characterize the effect of agomelatine and other novel melatoninergic drugs on the circadian system of MDD patients.
In summary, antidepressants with intrinsic chronobiotic properties offer a novel approach to treatment of depression.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
A. Quera Salva M., Hartley S., Barbot F., C. Alvarez J., Lofaso F. and Guilleminault C., Circadian Rhythms, Melatonin and Depression, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2011; 17 (15) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211796197188
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211796197188 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Preclinical Analyses of the Therapeutic Potential of Allopregnanolone to Promote Neurogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo in Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Recent Developments of C-Aryl Glucoside SGLT2 Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Insights on Biology and Pathology of HIF-1α/-2α, TGFβ/BMP, Wnt/β-Catenin, and NF-κB Pathways in Osteoarthritis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Photosensitizer Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy
Current Bioactive Compounds Nanotechnology approaches for pain therapy through transdermal drug delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Design True Antisense Oligonucleotides with Modified Nucleotides Restricted in the Nconformation
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Iron Chelators: Development of Novel Compounds with High and Selective Anti-Tumour Activity
Current Drug Delivery Proteomic Study of the Mechanism of Talin-C as an Inhibitor of HIV Infection
Current Proteomics Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Novel and Emerging Drugs for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Activity
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Rationale for Curcuminoids for the Prevention or Treatment of Alzheimers Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Non-Invasive Imaging of Ferucarbotran Labeled INS-1E Cells and Rodent Islets in Vitro and in Transplanted Diabetic Rats
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Cartilage and Bone Extracellular Matrix
Current Pharmaceutical Design Novel Aglycones of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids as Potent Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Role in VEGF and EGF Receptors Targeted Angiogenesis
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Molecular Recognition at Purine and Pyrimidine Nucleotide (P2) Receptors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Anticancer Effects of the Organosilicon Multidrug Resistance Modulator SILA 421
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Impaired Expression and Function of Cancer-Related Enzymes by Anthocyans: An Update
Current Enzyme Inhibition Dual Inhibitors of β-Amyloid Aggregation and Acetylcholinesterase as Multi-Target Anti-Alzheimer Drug Candidates
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Tyrphostins as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Acute Kidney Injury
Current Medicinal Chemistry Proteasome Inhibitors Therapeutic Strategies for Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery