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Journal of Child Neurology
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Melatonin's Role as an Anticonvulsant and Neuronal Protector: Experimental and Clinical Evidence

Antonio Muñoz-Hoyos

Departamento de Pediatria, Universidad de Granada, España

Miguel Sánchez-Forte

Departamento de Pediatria, Universidad de Granada, España

Antonio Molina-Carballo

Departamento de Pediatria, Universidad de Granada, España

Germaine Escames

Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad de Granada, España

Encarnación Martin-Medina

Departamento de Pediatria, Universidad de Granada, España

Russel J. Reiter

Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX

Juan A. Molina-Font

Departamento de Pediatria, Universidad de Granada, España

Darío Acuña-Castroviejo

Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad de Granada, España

The pineal gland classically has been considered as a vestigial and mystic organ. In the last decades, and with the incorporation of new methodologic procedures, it could be proved that it also has physiologic actions that vary depending on the level of the phylogenetic scale. Its best-known secretion, melatonin, has been related to many different actions, such as sleep promotion, control of biologic rhythms, hormonal inhibition, and an inhibiting action on central nervous system regulation mechanisms. In animal experimentation, there are papers even accepting an anticonvulsant effect. In humans, evidence is reduced to few experiences. In addition to this clinical experience, there is other evidence that clearly relates melatonin to convulsive phenomena. This relationship must be mediated by the following mechanisms attributed to melatonin: altered brain GABAergic neurotransmission, its known interaction with benzodiazepinic brain receptors, through tryptophan metabolite activity (kynurenine, kynurenic acid), or even by its efficacy as a free-radical scavenger. (J Child Neurol 1998;13:501-509).

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 13, No. 10, 501-509 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/088307389801301007
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