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We studied the effect of acute (1 day) and subacute (7 days) treatment with melatonin (0.5 mg) on the endogenous rhythms of melatonin secretion in 12 healthy male volunteers, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design. Melatonin given at 1700 h for 7 days significantly advanced the onset of endogenous melatonin secretion, while a single dose was without effect. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that melatonin plays a role in the organisation of circadian rhythms in humans and suggest that appropriately timed melatonin administration may provide a means of altering the timing of circadian cycles.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Psychopharmacology (Berl)

Publication Date

10/1995

Volume

121

Pages

503 - 505

Keywords

Adult, Circadian Rhythm, Cross-Over Studies, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Male, Melatonin, Time Factors