| 멜라토닌과 수면 |
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김지현, 이향운 |
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이화여자 대학교 의과대학 이화의료원 신경과 |
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| Melatonin and Human Sleep |
| Jee Hyun Kim, Hyang Woon Lee |
| Department of Neurology, Ewha Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University |
| Corresponding Author:
Jee Hyun Kim ,Tel: 02-2650-2763, Fax: 02-2650-2652, Email: fever26@paran.com |
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Received: April 9, 2005 Accepted: May 15, 2005 Published online: June 30, 2005 |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Melatonin is a hormone produced in pineal gland. It has a circadian rhythm, which is driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus. High levels of melatonin are present in the bloodstream during the normal time of sleep at night and low levels are present during the waking day. Bright light suppresses the secretion of melatonin. It is thought of as a neuroendocrine transducer of the light-dark cycle and may have a role in the biologic regulation of sleep and circadian rhythm. Many experiments and clinical trials of exogeneous melatonin suggest it has some effects for sleep promotion and choronobiotic effect (phase-shifting effect), especially in the person with decreased serum melatonin level and at that time when physiologically low serum level. Recently, melatonin is used for treatment of phase advancement in the patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome, entrainment of free-running circadian rhythm of totally blinded person, shift workers with sleep problems and overcoming jet lag. This article reviews recent knowledge of the function and clinical usefulness of melatonin.
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| Keywords:
Melatonin | Pineal gland | Circadian rhythm | Sleep |
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