title: Melatonin for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the available literature regarding the use of melatonin in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was identified through MEDLINE (1966-September 2002), PsycINFO (1967-September 2002), and references of relevant articles. Review articles, case reports/series, and animal and human studies were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Melatonin has been investigated in TD based on its antioxidant properties. Animal studies and several human case series describe an association between melatonin and TD. Two recent, controlled studies evaluated the role of melatonin in the treatment of TD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a paucity of data evaluating the use of melatonin in TD. Both of the controlled studies evaluating its use are limited by methodologic issues. Although the most recent trial did report a statistically significant improvement in TD with melatonin, these results are not considered to be clinically significant. There are inadequate data at the present time to support the use of melatonin in patients with TD.
authors.affiliation: St. Louis College of Pharmacy/St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Leigh Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Hausafus
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008550:Melatonin