Morning or night-time melatonin is ineffective in seasonal affective disorder.
Melatonin, at the same doses used to treat circadian-rhythm related sleep disturbances, had no effect on the depressive symptoms in seasonal affective disorder (SAD) patients, whether given early (7 a.m.) or late (11 p.m.) for a week. Slight improvements in sleep were seen with nighttime administration. The circadian rhythmicity of urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin was not modified in any way. Melatonin at this dosage (5 mg/day) or at these two times is therefore not a potential alternative treatment for SAD; light remains the therapy of choice.
Psychiatric University Clinic, Basel, Switzerland.
A
A
Wirz-Justice
P
P
Graw
K
K
Kräuchi
B
B
Gisin
J
J
Arendt
M
M
Aldhous
W
W
Pöldinger
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012621:Seasons
D008550:Melatonin