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Can Melatonin Prevent Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)?

James Meschino DC, MS, ROHP
A number of years ago experimental studies showed that melatonin could block key steps in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, primarily by acting as a brain antioxidant and inhibiting the build up of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain- a hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s disease. In recent years several clinical studies have gone on to show that melatonin supplementation (3-9 mg per day) can block the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to full blown dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in a significant number of human subjects, when tested against a placebo.

A recent animal study has now shown that melatonin also blocks key steps in the development of Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis  or ALS), a disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and eventual death due to the failure of respiratory muscles. After screening more than a thousand FDA-approved drugs several years ago, a research team determined that melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that blocks the release of enzymes that activate programmed cell death of nerve cells involved in the development of ALS. They later followed up using a transgenic mouse model of ALS, demonstrating that melatonin injections delayed symptom onset and reduced mortality from ALS in mice. In this model mice were bred to carry the gene that encourages the development on Lou Gehrig’s disease.

How Has Melatonin Been Shown To Inhibit ALS
The researchers stated, “We demonstrate that melatonin significantly delayed disease onset, neurological deterioration and mortality in ALS mice”. More specifically melatonin was shown to inhibit nerve degeneration and nerve cell death of the motor nerves involved in ALS. These nerves are the motor nerves in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, which supply life-force energy to the muscles of the body, including respiratory muscles. When these nerve cells die muscles become paralyzed and unable to function. Melatonin was shown to block nerve cell death in the ventral horn motor nerves by inhibiting several key pathways within these nerve cells that otherwise cause nerve cell death in ALS. These pathways include inhibiting the Rip2/caspase-1 pathway, blocking the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and reducing the overexpression and activation of caspase-3. The researchers went on to state that, “moreover, for the first time, we determined that disease progression was associated with the loss of both melatonin and the melatonin receptor 1A (MT1) in the spinal cord of ALS mice”. One of the study researchers,Dr. Friedlander, explained that they saw similar results in a Huntington’s disease animal model in an earlier project, whereby melatonin injections inhibited the same nerve cell death pathways when injected into animals bred to be genetically predisposed to Huntington’s disease.

Aging and Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in the pineal gland in the brain.Upon darkness it is released, which helps to induce sleep and increase depth and quality of sleep. Melatonin is also a powerful brain antioxidant, immune modulator and demonstrates some impressive anti-cancer properties, especially with respect to breast and prostate cancer. As we age melatonin secretion drops off markedly, which explains many cases of insomnia and sleep disturbances that arise by age 40. Some research now suggests that the age-related decline in melatonin also makes us more susceptible to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, immune system weakness, breast and prostate cancer. Emerging research also suggests that the decline in melatonin may also trigger the development of ALS and possibly Huntington’s disease, in those who are genetically predisposed to these neurodegenerative conditions. Although this is speculative at this point in time, impressive animal model studies have elucidated the pathways and mechanisms through which melatonin may be protective in preventing the onset of these neurological conditions, or slow their progression.

Melatonin as a Wellness Supplement After 40
Melatonin research continues to show its impressive biological effects in preserving health and preventing a number of diseases and health challenges. For the sake of general wellness, sleep quality, immune system support and prevention of various degenerative diseases many health experts, including me, recommend taking a melatonin supplement after 40 years of age. This practice compensates for the decline in melatonin synthesis and secretion by the pineal gland as we age, helping to ensure more optimal brain and body levels of this important protective compound.

Melatonin is best taken one hour to ninety minutes before bedtime each night. I personally recommend that you take it along with other synergistic nutrients that help support brain health, wellbeing and memory. Here is an example of the supplement I take and the recommended dosage, which is based on age:

One Capsule Contains:

  • Melatonin – 500 mcg (0.5 mg)
  • 5-hydroxytryptophan (5 HTP) – 10 mg
  • Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) – 25 mg
  • BacopaMonnieri – 15 mg (std to 20% bacosides)

The right dosage is the one that helps induce a good night’s sleep with no excessive morning grogginess:

Suggested Dosage Based on Age:
Age 40-49 – 1 or 2 capsules one hour before bedtime

Age 50- 59 – 2 or 3 capsules one hour before bedtime

Age 60-69 – 3 or 4 capsules one hour before bedtime

Age 70 plus – 4 capsules one hour before bedtime

Main Reference (ALS Research)

  • Yi Zhang, Anna Cook, Jinho Kim, Sergei V. Baranov, Jiying Jiang, Karen Smith, Kerry Cormier, Erik Bennett, Robert P. Browser, Arthur L. Day, Diane L. Carlisle, Robert J. Ferrante, Xin Wang, Robert M. Friedlander. Melatonin inhibits the caspase-1/cytochrome c/caspase-3 cell death pathway, inhibits MT1 receptor loss and delays disease progression in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiology of Disease, 2013; 55: 26
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