SYMPOSIA

Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Vol: 21, Supplement: 2, 2011 - www.psikofarmakoloji.org
Abstracts of the Invited Speakers
essential for neuronal maturation as well as for advanced integrated central system activities including attention, alertness and motor
coordination. PUFA are critically important for normal brain development and functioning. During fetal life, large amounts of PUFA are
deposited in the central nervous system. During infancy, dietary intake of PUFA, both omega-3 and omega-6 acids, continues to be
essential for neural development.
PUFA are metabolized to prostaglandins and other eicosanoids, which modify many metabolic processes and immune functions. They
moderate dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine release, regulate gene transcription and Na-K-ATPase channel function. There is
increasing evidence that omega acids play a part in many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders including attention deficit
hyperactivity, dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder and autism spectrum disorders.
The focus of this speech will be on the effects of PUFA supplementation on pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders.
Key words: Children, neurodevelopmental disorders, omega fatty acids
Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S74-5
[PS-13]
Symposium Title: Hormones and psychiatric disorders
Melatonin and human behaviour
Müfit Uğur
İstanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Psikiyatri AD, Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Turkey
E-mail: mugur52@hotmail.com
Melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland and regulates the sleep wake cycle, core body temperature, ovulation, and sexual behavior
in females, as well as immune and cardiovascular functions. It also has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and glucose regulatory properties.
Melatonin also changes behavior especially in depressed patients or patients who are prone to a psychiatric illness.
External noradrenergic stimuli act on the suprachiasmatıc nuclei and control melatonin secretion, which in turn regulates autonomic
functions and daily behaviors by acting as an endogenous synchronizer.
Melatonin, which manages body core temperature, the sleep wake cycle, and gonadal sex steroids, also causes some behavioral problems
in case of depression. In bipolar manic patients nocturnal melatonin is found to be higher than in depressed patients because of
noradrenergic stimulation.
Melatonin secretion and body core temperature are also closely related. Core body temperature is the lowest when the nocturnal melatonin
secretion is high. By controlling core body temperature, melatonin also helps to regulate the body metabolism and glucose utilization.
Ovulation in females is under the control of melatonin. When melatonin is the lowest nocturnally, which causes high core body
temperature, it is time for ovulation in females. High core body temperature and low nocturnal melatonin secretion return to normal
after the ovulation occurs. It also controls the secretion of sex steroids by its suppressive effect on the gonads. Nowadays some research
is working on using it as an oral contraceptive agent.
It also regulates immune functions by acting on T lymphocytes and help organisms to have a high defense against infections, supplying
an anti-inflammatory effect and serving as an antitumor agent.
Today it is used specifically for the treatment of sleep disorders such as:
-Advanced sleep phase syndrome
-Delayed sleep phase syndrome
-Circadian rhythm disorders
-Insomnia
-Irregular sleep wake cycle
-Jet-Lag
-Seasonal affective disorders
-REM related behavior disorders
Key words: Melatonin
Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S75
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