MHM Magazine

single administration of serotonin elicited a seven-fold increase in serum melatonin levels, suggesting at that time that melatonin mediated the beneficial clinical effects of serotonin. Fluvoxamine, an SSRIs approved for use in OCD, administered at night, was found to significantly increase early morning melatonin levels. Furthermore, plasma melatonin levels remained elevated following chronic administration of fluvoxamine over several weeks. A role for melatonin in the pathogenesis of OCD was further supported by the finding that naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, which inhibits nocturnal melatonin secretion, exacerbated OCD in a double-blind study. Not surprisingly, given the large number of beneficial actions of melatonin, several melatonin agonists have been developed. These agonists may hold dual therapeutic potential in addressing both sleep - related issues and core OCD symptoms. A few examples of these compounds include agomelatine, which has garnered the most attention in the context of OCD to date. Notably, agomelatine (marketed as Valdoxan) is a compound that acts on both serotonin and melatonin systems. Although not all studies agree, it has shown promise in treatment-resistant OCD. Specific dose-ranging trials in OCD have not yet been conducted making it challenging to determine an optimal regimen. Nevertheless, in related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease lower doses (e.g., 3 -12 mg/day) have shown efficacy in improving sleep onset and quality Conclusions There is a striking paucity of studies examining melatonin’s significance in OCD. In view of the close relationship between sleep, circadian rhythm and melatonin, it is possible that deficiencies in the synthesis and/or function of this hormone may be significant in the development of OCD. Unfortunately, there are still caveats in our basic knowledge regarding the effective dosage effects of long-time administration of melatonin, to name but a few. Given melatonin’s well-established safety profile, affordability (important in a resource poor country such as South Africa) and documented therapeutic benefits across a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, its efficacy as a potential monotherapy or augmentative treatment for OCD warrants investigation with rigorously designed RCTs. Such efforts will contribute to the challenge of identifying novel, accessible and affordable treatment avenues that can improve outcomes for individuals with OCD. References available on request. MHM | 2025 | Volume 12 | Issue 4 | Melatonin: A brief review of its role and therapeutic potential in obsessive-compulsiv e disorder (OCD) MHM www.prycision.com T E SOLUTION SPECIALISTS Trust MHM’s design and marketing solutionists to get you Branded We offer a full service solution for all your design, digital, e-commerce and printing needs. Bespoke solutions for small and large companies. Graphic Design | Web Development | Labels | Event Management | Marketing | Social Media | Gifting