Title

Melatonin’s impact on sleep, cognition and its potential role as an adjuvant in neurocognitive enhancement

Authors

Swathi Srinivas¹, Sruthi Saravanan², R.K Bharath Vignesh¹, K. Suganya^3,* & R. Yuvaraj⁴

Affiliation

¹Department of Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sri Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; ²Department of Medicine, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Maduranthagam, Tamil Nadu, India; ³Department of Physiology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sri Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; ⁴Department of Physiology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; *Corresponding author

Email

Swathi Srinivas - E-mail: m0120151@sriher.edu.in

Sruthi Saravanan - E-mail: Sruthi.ss2518@gmail.com

Bharath Vignesh - E-mail: m0120006@sriher.edu.in

K. Suganya - E-mail: k.suganya@sriramachandra.edu.in

R. Yuvaraj - E-mail: dryuvarajr@gmail.com

Article Type

Review

Date

Received July 1, 2026; Revised July 31, 2026; Accepted July 31, 2026, Published July 31, 2026

Abstract

Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, regulates sleep and circadian rhythms, with deficiency linked to sleep issues and cognitive impairment. It manages NREM and REM sleep cycles, enhancing sleep quality and memory through synaptic reinforcement. Beyond sleep, melatonin offers antioxidant, anti-aging, immune-modulating, anti-cancer benefits and influences fertility and sexual function. Melatonin supplements effectively treat sleep disorders like insomnia and jet lag and may protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, melatonin could be an adjuvant therapy in neurocognitive disorders due to its effects on sleep and cognition.

Keywords

Melatonin, REM sleep, neurocognitive disorder, memory, sundowning, adjuvant drug

Citation

Srinivas et al. Bioinformation 22(7): 4533-4536 (2026)

Edited by

P Kangueane

ISSN

0973-2063

Publisher

Biomedical Informatics

License

This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.