Melatonin’s Memory-Boosting Effects Unveiled in Recent Study
Researchers from Sophia University in Japan have made significant findings regarding the memory-enhancing effects of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. Multiple studies have previously demonstrated the positive impact of melatonin on memory in animal models, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have remained unclear. In a recent study published in NeuroReport, the researchers aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin and its derivatives, ramelteon and N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine, on the phosphorylation levels of memory-related proteins.
The research team examined the effects of these compounds on memory formation in male mice using a novel object recognition task. They also studied the phosphorylation of key proteins involved in memory formation, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IIα (CaMKIIα), CaMKIIβ, CaMKIV, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). The results showed that melatonin, ramelteon, and N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine influenced the phosphorylation levels of these proteins in different brain regions associated with memory functions.
In the hippocampus, treatment with ramelteon and N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine increased the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB but decreased the phosphorylation of CaMKIIα/β. In the perirhinal cortex, both ramelteon and N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine increased ERK phosphorylation, while ramelteon specifically increased CaMKIIβ phosphorylation. However, in the hippocampus/perirhinal cortex, ramelteon and N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine did not affect the phosphorylation of CaMKIV.
The researchers concluded that melatonin plays a role in promoting the formation of long-term object recognition memory by modulating the phosphorylation levels of memory-related proteins through receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These findings have potential implications for the development of new drugs that can improve memory function in individuals experiencing age-related memory impairment, with the aim of minimizing side effects.
The study’s results are significant, particularly for an aging global society that faces the challenges of age-related memory decline. The discovery of the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin-induced memory enhancement provides valuable insights that could pave the way for the development of effective treatments with improved efficacy and safety profiles.
This research opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions targeting memory-related disorders, such as age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. However, further studies are needed to assess the translation of these findings to humans and to fully understand the complex mechanisms involved in melatonin’s memory-boosting effects.
As the global population continues to age, innovative approaches to combat memory impairment are crucial. The elucidation of melatonin’s role in memory formation brings us one step closer to developing targeted therapies that could enhance memory function and improve the quality of life for individuals experiencing cognitive decline.
Reference: Sano M, Iwashita H, Suzuki C, Kawaguchi M, Chiba A. Effects of melatonin on phosphorylation of memory-related proteins in the hippocampus and the perirhinal cortex in male mice. NeuroRep. 2023;34(9):457. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000001911
