Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Melatonin has been explored as a supplemental treatment in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) primarily due to its role in regulating sleep-wake cycles and its antioxidant properties. Many individuals with PD experience sleep disturbances, including insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and excessive daytime sleepiness. Several small randomized controlled trials and observational studies have evaluated melatonin's effectiveness in improving sleep quality in PD patients. These studies suggest that melatonin (typically 2–5 mg) can improve subjective sleep quality and reduce symptoms of RBD, a common non-motor symptom in PD characterized by acting out dreams during REM sleep. However, the evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and short study durations. Beyond sleep, preclinical studies (mainly in animal models) have shown that melatonin possesses neuroprotective and antioxidant effects that may theoretically benefit PD by reducing oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration. However, clinical evidence supporting neuroprotective or disease-modifying effects in humans is lacking. Melatonin is generally well-tolerated with a low side-effect profile, making it a reasonable option for addressing sleep disorders in PD, but not as a primary treatment for core motor symptoms or disease progression. In summary, there is modest scientific evidence supporting melatonin's use for sleep-related symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease, but not for altering disease progression. Large, well-controlled clinical trials are needed to clarify its role further.

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