Can melatonin reduce epilepsy?

From the Research

Melatonin and Epilepsy

• Melatonin has been studied as a potential treatment for epilepsy, with some studies suggesting it may be effective in reducing seizure frequency 1, 2.
• A pilot study found that melatonin decreased diurnal seizures in patients with intractable epilepsy, with no major side effects or seizure aggravation 1.
• A review of published data found that melatonin may have an antiepileptic role, but the evidence was inconclusive and scarce 3, 4.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis found that add-on melatonin treatment improved sleep latency and seizure severity in patients with epilepsy, but further studies are needed to determine its efficacy and safety 2.

Mechanisms of Action

• Melatonin has been shown to have antioxidant, antiexcitotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to its antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects 4.
• Melatonin may play a regulatory role in the cardiorespiratory system and sleep-wake cycles, which may have positive implications for epilepsy-associated comorbidities 4.

Study Limitations

• Many of the studies on melatonin and epilepsy have methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and lack of long-term follow-up data 3, 5, 2.
• Further randomized controlled trials are needed to definitively determine the efficacy and safety of melatonin as a treatment for epilepsy 5, 2.