Melatonin and the newborn brain.
Brain injury related to preterm birth and neonatal asphyxia is a leading cause of childhood neuromotor and cognitive disabilities. Unfortunately, the strategies to prevent perinatal brain damages remain limited. Among the candidate molecules, melatonin appears to be one of the most promising agents for its antioxidant and neuromodulatory action. Robust preclinical evidences and few clinical studies have suggested a neuroprotective benefit conferred by neonatal exposure to melatonin. This review recapitulates current basic research, safety and pharmacokinetic data and ongoing clinical trials on the use of melatonin as a neuroprotective agent in the newborn.
Neonatal intensive care unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Children's hospital, University Paris-Diderot, Sorbone Paris Cité, Inserm U1141, Paris, France.
Marina
M
Colella
Neonatal intensive care unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Children's hospital, University Paris-Diderot, Sorbone Paris Cité, Inserm U1141, Paris, France.
Valérie
V
Biran
Neonatal intensive care unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Children's hospital, University Paris-Diderot, Sorbone Paris Cité, Inserm U1141, Paris, France. Electronic address: olivier.baud@aphp.fr.
Olivier
O
Baud
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008550:Melatonin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008550:Melatonin
Brain injury; Melatonin; Neuroprotection; Preterm birth; Translational research