Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Pineal Structure

MELATONIN SYNTHESIS AND METABOLISM

Control of Melatonin Synthesis: A Darkness Hormone

Daylength Dependence of Melatonin Secretion

Synchronisation of the Melatonin Rhythm to the 24h Day

PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF MELATONIN IN MAMMALS

Melatonin Secretion as a Function of Daylength: a Seasonal Time Cue

Role of the Pineal Gland and Melatonin in Circadian Rhythms

EFFECTS OF TIMED ADMINISTRATION OF MELATONIN IN MAMMALS

In vivo effects

In Vitro Phase Shifts

Retinal Rhythms

Miscellaneous

HUMAN PINEAL PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY

Human Melatonin Production

Melatonin and Core Body Temperature

Melatonin and Sleep

Melatonin during Development, Puberty, Menstrual cycle and Aging

PATHOLOGY

Post-Mortem observations: Pineal Hyper- and Hypoplasia

Pineal Tumors

Other Solid Tumors

Psychiatry

Miscellaneous

EFFECTS OF MELATONIN IN HUMANS

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

Reproductive axis

Miscellaneous

THERAPEUTIC USE OF MELATONIN

Jet Lag and Shift Work

Sleep Disorder in the Elderly

Delayed Sleep Phase Insomnia

Cancer

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF MELATONIN

Target Sites

Melatonin Receptors

Melatonin Antagonists and Agonists

Effects on Clock Genes