Jet lag, circadian rhythm sleep disturbances, and depression: the role of melatonin and its analogs.

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Srinivasan V, Singh J, Pandi-Perumal SR, Brown GM, Spence DW, Cardinali DP

Jet lag, circadian rhythm sleep disturbances, and depression: the role of melatonin and its analogs.

Adv Ther. 2010 Nov;27(11):796-813. doi: 10.1007/s12325-010-0065-y. Epub 2010 Sep 6.

PubMed ID

20827520 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Traveling through several time zones results in a constellation of symptoms known as jet lag. These include reduced alertness, daytime fatigue, loss of appetite, reduced cognitive skills, and disruption of the sleep/wake cycle. In susceptible air travel passengers, jet lag may exacerbate affective illness and result in psychiatric morbidity. Dysregulation of circadian rhythms and melatonin secretion represent the common underlying factor in jet lag and other circadian disorders. Recent studies have established the effectiveness of strategically timed administration of melatonin and appropriate timed exposure to environmental schedules including light in counteracting the dysregulation (chronobiologic actions). With the introduction of melatonergic agonists such as ramelteon and tasimelteon, which have both a stronger affinity for MT(1) and MT(2) melatonin receptors and a longer half-life, new therapeutic options now exist for treating the sleep disturbances associated with jet lag. The melatonin analogs are unique inasmuch as they can also enhance daytime alertness. The recently introduced melatonergic antidepressant agomelatine, which has established its supremacy over other antidepressants in having a significant chronobiologic activity, represents a good choice for treating depressive symptoms that are associated with jet lag.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Melatonin	Melatonin receptor type 1A	Protein	Humans	Yes	Agonist	Details
Melatonin	Melatonin receptor type 1B	Protein	Humans	Yes	Agonist	Details