Melatonin, Neuroprotective Agents and Antidepressant Therapy

Abstract

Includes index. This work is a guidebook for clinicians who are involved in treating depressive patients and also serves the research scientists who are working on the psychopharmacological mechanisms of antidepressant actions and psychopathological mechanisms underlying mood disorders. Mood disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BPD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are the most disabling disorders that are among the most expensive of all medical illnesses. The pathophysiology of mood disorders is very complex and involves many mechanisms like circadian rhythm disruption, sleep abnormalities, melatonin rhythm abnormalities and alterations in melatonin receptor mechanisms, abnormalities in monoaminergic neurotransmitter mechanisms, glutamatergic release mechanisms, hippocampal neurogenesis, and abnormal immune and cytokine release mechanisms. Many antidepressants that are in clinical use today including the recently introduced novel agents like agomelatine or other antidepressants cause clinical remission by resynchronizing disrupted circadian rhythms and melatonin receptor functions, enhancing monoaminergic neurotransmission, promoting hippocampal neurogenesis, and regulating immune mechanisms. This book explains various etiological factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders and the mechanisms of therapeutic actions of antidepressants including the recently introduced agomelatine and other antidepressants that exhibit rapid onset of action with greater efficacy and fewer side effects. Preface; Contents; Contributors; 1: History of€Pineal Gland as€Neuroendocrine Organ and€the€Discovery of€Melatonin; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Galen's Conarium: The€Pineal Gland in€the€Classic Antiquity; 1.3 The Valvular Function of€the€Pineal Organ and€the€Three Cell Medieval Theory; 1.4 The Pineal Gland in€Its Anatomical Context; 1.5 The Pineal Gland as€the€Seat of€the€Soul in the Philosophical and€Physiological Cartesian Approaches; 1.6 A Century and€a€Half of€Decline in€the€Scientific Understanding of€the€Pineal Gland. 1.7 The Resurgence of€Interest in€the€Pineal Gland and€the€Knowledge of€Its Structure and€Inner Nature1.8 The Pineal Gland as€an€Endocrine Organ; References; 2: Bibliometric Study of€Scientific Research on€Melatonin During the€Last 25€Years; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Method; 2.2.1 Data Sources; 2.2.2 Bibliometric Indicators; 2.2.3 Document Allocation; 2.3 Results; 2.4 Discussion; References; 3: Neuroimaging of€the€Pineal Gland: Focus on€Primary Insomnia; 3.1 Background; 3.2 Neuroimaging of€the€Pineal Gland; 3.2.1 Pineal Gland Volume; 3.2.2 Pineal Calcifications; 3.2.3 Pineal Cysts. 3.3 Melatonin, Pineal Gland Volume, and€Insomnia Conclusion; References; 4: Melatonin: Basic and€Clinical Aspects; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Melatonin Biosynthesis in€Pineal Gland with€Regulation of€Secretion; 4.3 Melatonin Synthesis in€Other Tissues and€Organs; 4.4 Melatonin Receptors; 4.5 Signal Transduction Pathways; 4.5.1 Receptor-Dependent Mechanisms; 4.5.2 Receptor-Independent Mechanisms; 4.6 Physiological Actions with€Its Therapeutic Potentials; 4.7 Concluding Remarks; References; 5: Melatonin and€Melatonin Receptors in€Neuroprotection; 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 What Do We€Know About€the€Melatonin?5.3 Biosynthesis and€Metabolism of€Melatonin; 5.4 Melatonin as€an€Antioxidant Agent; 5.5 The Neuroprotective Effects of€Melatonin; 5.5.1 Effects of€Melatonin on€the€Neurodegenerative Events in€the€Central Nervous System; 5.6 The Affect Mechanisms of€Melatonin and€Its Receptors; 5.7 Melatonin Receptors: A€Perspective; Conclusion; References; 6: Melatonin Supplementation in€Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Status; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Oxidative Mechanisms Involved in€Neuronal Degeneration; 6.3 Role of€Melatonin in€Neurodegenerative Diseases. 6.3.1 Melatonin in€Alzheimer's Disease6.3.2 Melatonin in€Parkinson's Disease; 6.3.3 Melatonin in€Huntington Disease; 6.3.4 Melatonin and€Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; 6.4 Perspective; References; 7: Therapeutic Potential of€Melatonin in€Combination with€Other Drugs Against Neurodegeneration; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Alzheimer's Disease; 7.3 Parkinson's Disease; 7.4 Huntington's Disease; 7.5 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Conclusion; References; 8: Melatonin, a€Neuroprotective Agent: Relevance for€Stress-ƯInduced Neuropsychiatric Disorders; 8.1 Introduction.