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Melatonin in humans: Possible involvement in SIDS, and use in contraceptivesRelatively few tools exist for assessing the possible involvement of melatonin in normal or abnormal physiologlcal and behavioral states. One cannot perform the classic ablation experiment of endocrinologists by cavalierly removing the human's pineal, nor derive the same effect pharmacologically by administering a drug which blocks the actions of the indole on its receptors (because no such drugs, demonstrated to work in humans, exist). About all that can be done is to administer the melatonin and see what happens, or measure its levels in a body fluid and determine whether its temporal patterns track those of the physiological or behavioral variable being examined. The clinical state of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which apparently is associated with abnormalities in melatonin concentrations within body fluids obtained at autopsy is described. New data which suggest that exogenous melatonin has sufficient antigonadal potency to allow it to replace estrogen and, acting in combination with norethisterone, serve as a useful contraceptive agent is summarized.
Document ID
19930074772
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wurtman, Richard J.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Lynch, Harry J.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Sturner, William Q.
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI., United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:192855
REPT-815
NASA-CR-192855
Accession Number
93N72219
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-210
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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