Melatonin - A possible link between sleep and the immune system

Authors utilized an ultrashort sleep-wake paradigm to investigate the relationship between melatonin rhythms and sleep-wake cycles in young adult subjects. Data obtained may indicate that melatonin participates in the normal regulation of sleep behavior. In humans, melatonin plays a role both in synchronizing the sleep-wake cycle and in promoting sleep. The results also suggest that exogenously administered melatonin may be beneficial in certain of insomnia that are related to disturbances in the normal secretion of this hormone.