Melatonin News and Research

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Melatonin, also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes. In animals, circulating levels of the hormone melatonin vary in a daily cycle, thereby allowing the entrainment of the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.

Spring fever not an official medical condition

In the season of ducklings, blooming dogwoods and open-toed sandals, some people are struck with a mysterious malady - spring fever.

24 Apr 2010

Implanting blue light-filtering IOLs during cataract surgery may help preserve retina health

Implanting blue light-filtering intraocular lenses during cataract surgery helps maintain visual function and may preserve the health of the retina, specifically in disease states such as age-related macular degeneration, according to a comprehensive review published in the May/June 2010 edition of Survey of Ophthalmology.

13 Apr 2010

Bright light therapy box for SAD, depression, bipolar disorder and sleep problems

Alaska Northern Lights manufactures a bright light therapy box that aids in treating chronic health problems such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, bipolar disorder and sleep problems. Sufferers of SAD, a form of clinical depression, include up to 25 percent of those living in northern latitudes who experience varying degrees of SAD during winter months when there is less natural light. Night shift workers are also susceptible to SAD which affects over one third of the population, or about 10.8 million Americans.

31 Mar 2010

SEBM announces the 2010 winners of Young Investigator Award

SEBM is pleased to announce the 2010 winners of the Young Investigator Award. This is a $500 travel grant for undergraduate/ graduate students and/or individuals within 5 years of receiving doctoral degrees who are members of the Society to attend the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting in Anaheim in April 2010.

4 Mar 2010

First field study shows lack of exposure to morning light delays sleep in teenagers

The first field study on the impact of light on teenagers' sleeping habits finds that insufficient daily morning light exposure contributes to teenagers not getting enough sleep.

17 Feb 2010

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results announced by Vanda Pharmaceuticals

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of clinical-stage products for central nervous system disorders, today announced financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

16 Feb 2010

Researchers develop dietary supplement to offset key symptom of ageing

Researchers at McMaster University have developed a cocktail of ingredients that forestalls major aspects of the aging process.

12 Feb 2010

Study suggests molecules and pathways in mood regulation and circadian rhythms are intertwined

Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered unexpected properties for a precursor to melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles.

5 Feb 2010

'Hormone of darkness' melatonin regulates sleep effectively

Melatonin, a natural hormone segregated by the own human body, is an excellent sleep regulator expected to replace somniferous, which are much more aggressive, to correct the sleep/wakefulness pace when human biological clock becomes altered.

6 Nov 2009

New systematic study for managing treatment-resistant bipolar depression

Depression in bipolar illness is often difficult to treat and life-threating. Frequently it fails to respond to standard treatments. In the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics a new drug combination is suggested.

27 Oct 2009

Bioidentical Hormones for breast cancer prevention

For a sample of prevention awareness on Breast Cancer and overall health, there are key terms one is suggested to start on: BRCA; DHEA; Estradiol; Estriol; Free radicals; Insulin resistance; Melatonin; Premarin; Progesterone; SHBG; vitamin D.

22 Oct 2009

Michelle’s Miracle raises $750,000 in its first tranche of Series A funding

Michelle’s Miracle, Inc the leading provider of tart cherry nutraceutical products announced that it has closed its first tranche of Series A funding after raising approximately $750,000 in equity.

30 Sep 2009

New sleep formula unveiled at USANA Health Sciences' 17th annual international convention

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. hosted thousands of independent Associates and guests from around the world this week for its 17th annual international convention in Salt Lake City.

30 Aug 2009

Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants

A lack of sunlight is associated with reduced cognitive function among depressed people. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Health used weather data from NASA satellites to measure sunlight exposure across the United States and linked this information to the prevalence of cognitive impairment in depressed people.

27 Jul 2009

Light therapy as a treatment for sexual dysfunctions

Although we are still far from knowing exactly where and how the pineal suppressive role is exerted, the fact that the gland exerts an inhibitory function on the reproductive axis is widely accepted. In fact, the pineal seems to exert its hormonal effect at different levels of the reproductive axis, both at the hypothalamic-pituitary level and at the gonadal level, where melatonin receptors have also been found.

9 Jun 2009

Blue light goggles improve sleep quality in the elderly

Sleep disturbances increase as we age. Some studies report more than half of seniors 65 years of age or older suffer from chronic sleep disturbances. Researchers have long believed that the sleep disturbances common among the elderly often result from a disruption of the body's circadian rhythms - biological cycles that repeat approximately every 24 hours.

1 Jun 2009

Jet lag disrupts sleep by throwing two neural centers out of sync

New research by scientists in the U.S. has revealed that the disrupted sleep which results from jet lag and shift work occurs in two separate but linked groups of neurons below the hypothalamus at the base of the brain.

19 Apr 2009

Melatonin medication helpful for sleep problems in children with autism, Fragile X syndrome

A study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine determined that over-the-counter melatonin medication can shorted the length of time it takes for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), or both to fall asleep at the beginning of the night.

15 Apr 2009

Late-night exposure to light may diminish levels of a natural cancer-fighting hormone

Does your shift at work put you at a greater risk for developing cancer?

5 Apr 2009

Melatonin may be served as a potential anti-fibrotic drug

In China, the incidence of liver cirrhosis is still high. Liver cirrhosis results from fibrosis. If treated properly at fibrosis stage, cirrhosis can be prevented.

30 Mar 2009