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Unveiling the Protective Roles of Melatonin on Glial Cells in the Battle Against Alzheimer's Disease-Insights from In Vivo and In Vitro Studies.

Molecular neurobiology
April 10, 2025
Nopdanai Sirimaharaj et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate melatonin's effects on glial cell dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its potential as a therapeutic agent targeting AD-related mechanisms.

Results Summary

Melatonin demonstrated protective effects, including reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, inhibiting Aβ fibrillogenesis, and modulating amyloid precursor proteins. It also alleviated neuroinflammation through interactions with glial cells, suggesting promise for both preventive and adjunctive AD treatments.

Population

Elderly individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
decrease
oxidative stress
-
-
demonstrated protective effects
#1
melatonin
decrease
apoptosis
-
-
demonstrated protective effects
#2
melatonin
decrease
inflammation
-
-
demonstrated protective effects
#3
melatonin
decrease
Aβ fibrillogenesis
-
-
inhibiting
#4
melatonin
neutral
amyloid precursor proteins
-
-
modulating
#5
melatonin
decrease
neuroinflammation
-
-
alleviate
#6
Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly affects the elderly. Characterized by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, AD leads to memory loss, cognitive decline, and severe behavioral changes. As the most common form of dementia, AD imposes a significant global health burden, highlighting the need for interventions that address underlying disease mechanisms rather than only symptomatic treatment. Glial cells, including microglia and astrocytes, play a crucial role in AD progression by mediating neuroinflammatory responses and modulating Aβ clearance and neuronal health. Dysfunction in these cells can exacerbate neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, making glial cells an important target for therapeutic intervention. This review synthesizes findings from in vivo and in vitro studies on melatonin's effects on glial cell dysfunction in AD, emphasizing the multi-mechanistic nature of its neuroprotective properties. Recent studies highlight melatonin's potential as a therapeutic agent that addresses AD-related mechanisms through its interactions with glial cells. Melatonin has demonstrated protective effects, including reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, inhibiting Aβ fibrillogenesis, and modulating amyloid precursor proteins. Additionally, its influence on glial cell activity, through melatonin receptor pathways, suggests it can alleviate neuroinflammation, a key component of AD progression. The collective evidence points to melatonin's promise as a therapeutic tool with potential roles in both preventive and adjunctive treatments for AD. However, further research is necessary to establish its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.25
Normalized Score0.69
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