Neurocognitive effects of melatonin treatment in healthy adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease and insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Neurocognitive effects of melatonin treatment in healthy adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease and insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Sumsuzzman et al., 2021 | Neurosci Biobehav Rev | Meta Analysis
Citation
Sumsuzzman Dewan Md, Choi Jeonghyun, ... Hong Yonggeun. Neurocognitive effects of melatonin treatment in healthy adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease and insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021-Aug;127:459-473. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.034
Abstract
Endogenous melatonin levels are inversely associated with age and cognitive deficits. Although melatonin can improve psychopathological behavior disturbances in clinical trials, whether melatonin may also enhance cognitive function remains elusive. This study examined cognitive outcomes from randomized trials of melatonin treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), insomnia, and healthy-subjects. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria (AD = 9, insomnia = 2, healthy-subjects = 11). AD patients receiving >12 weeks of melatonin treatment improved mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score [MD: 1.82 (1.01; 2.63) p < 0.0001]. Importantly, melatonin significantly improved MMSE score in mild stage of AD [MD: 1.89 (0.96; 2.82) p < 0.0001]. In healthy-subjects, although daytime melatonin treatment notably decreased in accuracy by correct responses [SMD: -0.74 (-1.03; -0.45) p < 0.00001], the reaction-time score on different stimuli (p = 0.37) did not increased. Additionally, by pooling of short-term, spatial, and visual memory scores, melatonin did not reduce memory function (p = 0.08). Meta-analysis of MMSE score suggested that melatonin is effective in treatment for mild stage of AD. Additionally, we propose that melatonin may be preferable to traditional hypnotics in management of insomnia.
Key Findings
Additionally, we propose that melatonin may be preferable to traditional hypnotics in management of insomnia.
Outcomes Measured
- Requires manual extraction
Population
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | See abstract |
| Sample Size | See abstract |
| Age Range | See abstract |
| Condition | insomnia |
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Alzheimer Disease
- Cognition Disorders
- Humans
- Melatonin
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Evidence Classification
- Level: Meta Analysis
- Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
- Vertical: melatonin-sleep
Provenance
- PMID: 33957167
- DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.034
- PMCID: Not in PMC
- Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API
Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09