Hi Terun

Therapeutically the replacement of melatonin and its important association with cholinergic drugs do indicate the role of melatonin and alpha-7 nAChRs in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and it has been suggested that melatonin increases the efficiency of specific nAChRs. It has also been noted that α7nAchR activation regulates via melatonin and this regulation is potential for neuroprotective strategies for degenerative diseases like prion diseases. However, I do not know any direct study showing that melatonin increases acetylcholine secretion in humans, though studies have been conducted showing indirect evidence in humans. This emphasizes that further studies are required to be conducted on the basis of direct and indirect evidences in animal and human studies.

Best wishes

Zahir,

Thank you for the response. Could you provide any papers which have shown the indirect effect in humans?

Thanks

Yes, in rats, melatonin has been found to increase acetylcholine release in the nucleus accumbens of the brain and modify motor activity patterns. This effect has been found to be dose-dependent. It was also found that Prazosin, an antagonist of melatonin, blocked the effects of melatonin on motor activity and Acehtycholine release when administered several minutes before melatonin.

Is it possible that this response may be similar in humans?