title: Meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of melatonin in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the efficacy of melatonin in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  
  
  
  Both English (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register) and Chinese (WanFang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database, and China Journal Net) databases were systematically and independently searched by two authors from their inception until 1 March 2016. Weighted and standard mean differences (SMDs), risk ratio (RR) ±95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. In all cases, the random effects model was used.
  
  
  
  Seven studies (n = 462) with the duration ranging from 10 days to 24 weeks were identified and analyzed. AD patients receiving melatonin treatment showed prolonged total sleep time at night (n = 305; SMD: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.51, I2= 9%, p = 0.04). Melatonin did not improve cognitive abilities assessed by the mini-mental state examination and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Cognitive Subscale. The discontinuation rate was similar between the melatonin and placebo groups (n = 453, RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.51 to 1.16, I2= 0%, p = 0.21).
  
  
  
  Melatonin appears to be effective and safe in improving sleep quality in patients with AD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, SAR, China.
authors.forename: Yuan-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Chee H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.|The University of Notre Dame Australia/Marian Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Gabor S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ungvari
authors.affiliation: Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, SAR, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, SAR, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; melatonin; meta-analysis; placebo