title: Role of melatonin in mood disorders and the antidepressant effects of agomelatine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disturbances of circadian rhythms and sleep play an important role in various types of mood disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depressive disorder (BPD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Malfunctioning of the SCN-pineal-melatonin link has been suggested as the main cause for these disorders. As a rhythm-regulating factor and as a hormone involved in the regulation of sleep, melatonin is essential for the control of mood and behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  Melatonin's involvement in various mood disorders is reviewed based on studies undertaken in patients with MDD, BPD and SAD. The chemistry and metabolism of the newly introduced antidepressant, agomelatine, a MT1/MT2 melatonin receptor agonist and 5-HT2c antagonist in brain areas involved in mood regulation are also discussed. Its clinical role in mood regulation, agomelatine's efficacy, safety and tolerability are also reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Agomelatine, a melatonergic antidepressant with a rapid onset of action, has been shown effective in various types of mood disorders (e.g., MDD, BPD, SAD). Some studies find it superior to other common antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs) that are in clinical use today. Agomelatine's efficacy, good tolerability and safety profile suggest that it may become a preferred antidepressant in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, Medical Sciences Research Study Center, Prasanthi Nilayam, 40-Kovai Thirunagar, Coimbatore-641014, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Venkataramanujam
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Berardis
authors.forename: Samuel D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shillcutt
authors.forename: Amnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brzezinski
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D009281:Naphthalenes
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008550:Melatonin; C084711:agomelatine; D009281:Naphthalenes