Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly in the United States, and one of the main symptoms of dementia is memory loss. Melatonin might be a viable treatment for memory loss in some cases of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease of the brain that gradually eradicates cognitive skills and memory. Eventually, sufferers become so debilitated that they are unable to carry out tasks such as talking, moving and swallowing. Symptoms usually appear after age 60, and there is no known cure for this disease. According to the National Institute of Aging, as many as 5 million people in the United States might have Alzheimer's.
Dementia
According to the Alzheimer's Association, the most common type of dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease occurs in between 60 percent and 80 percent of all cases. The symptoms include confusion, disorientation and impaired memory, including difficulty remembering names. Late symptoms include trouble speaking, walking and swallowing.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain's pineal gland and then synthesized into the neurotransmitter serotonin and the amino acid tryptophan. According to Melatonin Faq, the level of melatonin in your body has a cycle that is dependent on the amount of light you receive. Melatonin helps the body prepare for sleep and waking. If you are young or middle-aged, your body will produce between 5 and 25 mg of melatonin each night. As you grow older, these levels decline.
Function
Dr. Hyla Cass explains that melatonin might help to prevent loss of memory associated with Alzheimer's disease because it helps maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. Lack of sleep or irregular sleep can weaken the memory and increase feelings of poor concentration and confusion. Since melatonin levels gradually decrease as we age, supplementation might reduce the risk of memory loss. More studies are needed, but according to Eldr, melatonin also might help to regulate a sufferer's sleep cycle.
Warning
According to Family Doctor, potential side effects of taking melatonin include sleepiness, headache, depression and stomach pain. There have been no studies of the effects of long-term use of melatonin.
