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Impact of Melatonin on Motor, Cognitive and Neuroimaging Indices in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology
December 1, 2015
Tina Roostaei et al. (10 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of melatonin (3 mg/day) as supplemental therapy in relapsing-remitting MS patients receiving interferon beta, focusing on clinical and functional disability outcomes.

Results Summary

The study found no significant difference in primary or secondary outcomes between melatonin and placebo, though a trend for beneficial effects was observed in MSFC performance and cognitive fatigue. No serious adverse events were reported.

Population

Relapsing-remitting MS patients receiving once-weekly interferon beta.

Effective Dosage

3 mg/day

Duration

12 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
neutral
chronic inflammation
-
-
immunomodulatory effect
#1
melatonin (3 mg/day)
no change
primary outcomes
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta
-
no significant difference
#2
melatonin (3 mg/day)
no change
secondary outcomes
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta
-
no significant difference
#3
melatonin
increase
change in MSFC performance
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta
p=0.05
trend for beneficial effect
#4
melatonin
increase
cognitive subscore of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta
p=0.006
trend for beneficial effect
#5
melatonin
no change
measures of clinical and functional disability
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta
-
no significant effect
#6
melatonin
no change
development of brain lesions
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta
-
no significant effect
#7
Abstract

A series of preclinical and clinical studies have shown the immunomodulatory effect of  melatonin, especially in the state of chronic inflammation. A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to study the tolerability and efficacy of supplemental therapy with melatonin (3 mg/day) in comparison to placebo in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving once weekly interferon beta. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Primary outcomes consisted of the number of relapses, change in Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the number and volume of new T2 and gadolinium-enhancing brain lesions. Secondary outcomes included change in performance on Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) as well as change in fatigue and depression. The outcomes were evaluated every three months. Twenty-six patients (13 in each group) were recruited in the study. All participants, except for one patient in the placebo group, completed the study. No patient reported serious adverse events. There was no significant difference either in primary or secondary outcomes between melatonin and placebo arm. However, a trend for beneficial effect was observed for melatonin on change in MSFC performance and the cognitive subscore of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (p=0.05 and 0.006, respectively, not corrected for multiple comparisons). We found no significant effect for treatment with melatonin on measures of clinical and functional disability and development of brain lesions in our small sample-size study. Studies with higher statistical power and longer follow up are needed to further evaluate the potential immunomodulatory effect of melatonin in RRMS treatment.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultBrainCognitionDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansImmunologic FactorsMaleMelatoninMotor ActivityMultiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-RemittingNeuroimaging
Study Links
PubMed ID26725556
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy40/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations22
Citations/Year2.2
Relative Citation Ratio1.01
NIH Percentile50.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.62
Normalized Score0.66
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Impact of Melatonin on Motor, Cognitive and Neuroimaging Ind... | Panacea Index