In the context of the escalating global health challenge posed by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), this comprehensive review considers the potential of melatonin in both preventive and therapeutic capacities. As a naturally occurring hormone and robust antioxidant, accumulating evidence suggests melatonin is a compelling candidate to consider in the context of AD-related pathologies. The review considers several mechanisms, including potential effects on amyloid-beta and pathologic tau burden, antioxidant defense, immune modulation, and regulation of circadian rhythms. Despite its promise, several gaps need to be addressed prior to clinical translation. These include conducting additional randomized clinical trials in patients with or at risk for AD dementia, determining optimal dosage and timing, and further determining potential side effects, particularly of long-term use. This review consolidates existing knowledge, identifies gaps, and suggests directions for future research to better understand the potential of melatonin for neuroprotection and disease mitigation within the landscape of AD.

在阿尔茨海默病 （AD） 带来的全球健康挑战不断升级的背景下，本综述考虑了褪黑激素在预防和治疗能力方面的潜力。作为一种天然存在的激素和强大的抗氧化剂，越来越多的证据表明，褪黑激素是在 AD 相关病理学的情况下值得考虑的令人信服的候选者。本综述考虑了几种机制，包括对 β 淀粉样蛋白和病理 tau 负荷、抗氧化防御、免疫调节和昼夜节律调节的潜在影响。尽管前景广阔，但在临床转化之前仍需解决一些差距。这些包括对患有 AD 痴呆或有风险的患者进行额外的随机临床试验，确定最佳剂量和时间，以及进一步确定潜在的副作用，特别是长期使用。本综述巩固了现有知识，确定了差距，并为未来的研究提出了方向，以更好地了解褪黑激素在 AD 环境中用于神经保护和疾病缓解的潜力。