Melatonin & Schizophrenia

Though most widely known for its role in regulating sleep, melatonin participates in several other important physiological functions, including the release of female reproductive hormones, antioxidant effects and immune-system enhancement. It might also relieve insomnia, a common symptom of schizophrenia, and reduce the side effects of antipsychotic medications used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland. It is involved in the regulation of the circadian pattern of sleep, helping to keep people sleeping on a 24-hour cycle. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that it might decrease the amount of time it takes people to fall asleep by a few minutes, but it may be most effective in enhancing sleep in people who are over 55 who suffer from insomnia. It also functions as an antioxidant and may help in the treatment of a number of conditions, including menopause, benzodiazepine withdrawal, breast cancer and irritable bowel syndrome.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric condition that affects about 1 percent of the world population, compromising the social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral functioning of its victims. During acute phases of the illness, people with schizophrenia can't distinguish between reality and imagination. They harbor delusions or see or hear things that others don't. They display muted emotional responses, inappropriate social behavior and strong beliefs that break with reality and social convention. They have difficulties sustaining attention, maintaining relationships and holding jobs. Other symptoms include irritability, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, bizarre behavior, social isolation, paranoia, disorganization and lack of ability to initiate and sustain goal-oriented behavior.

Melatonin Deficit in Schizophrenia

An early study published in 1990 in the "Schizophrenia Bulletin" suggested that melatonin might be involved with schizophrenia. The authors of the study identified a sub-group of patients with reduced levels of melatonin who also had ventricular enlargement, cerebral atrophy, impaired cognitive development, onset of schizophrenia during puberty, poor response to antipsychotic medication and increased risk for extrapyramidal symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and shuffling gait. The precise role melatonin plays in schizophrenia and other mental disturbances has yet to be sorted out. Melatonin deficiency might play a causal role, or melatonin deficits might result from the underlying processes that cause schizophrenia.

Insomnia

Given that melatonin regulates sleep cycles and that at least some people with schizophrenia suffer a deficiency in melatonin secretion, you might expect that melatonin supplementation would improve the insomnia that often accompanies schizophrenia. A study in the May 2000 "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry" found that melatonin improved the sleep efficiency of chronic schizophrenics who had sleep disturbances.

Tardive Diskinesia

While antipsychotic medications have significantly improved the functioning and quality of life of people with schizophrenia, long-term treatment with neuroleptics causes a movement disorder called tardive diskinesia. This disorder involves repetitive, purposeless movements, such as grimacing, lip smacking, tongue protrusions and rapid eye blinking, as well as fine- and gross-motor abnormalities, such as rapid movement of the fingers, hands, arms, legs and trunk. Melatonin supplementation may reduce the severity of tardive dyskinesia symptoms, reports the Clinician's Ultimate Reference website.