Study Links Melatonin Onset to ALS Progression
A study found a later onset of salivary melatonin in ALS patients is linked to faster disease progression and poorer survival.
Research indicates that in early stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a later onset of salivary melatonin is associated with more rapid disease progression and worse respiratory symptoms.
The study involved 50 ALS patients within 18 months of symptom onset, who participated in home-based salivary sampling conducted under dim-light conditions. Researchers established the salivary dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO) to determine any potential links to disease progression.
Results showed that the ALS group had an earlier DLMO compared to age- and sex-matched controls, with an average time of 20:24 versus 20:58, respectively. This difference was statistically significant, indicating altered melatonin timing in ALS patients.
Within the ALS cohort, a later baseline DLMO correlated with a decline in functional and motor status, as well as an increase in respiratory symptoms such as dyspnoea and orthopnoea over six months. The study reported an adjusted odds ratio of 3.11 for these symptoms linked to a later DLMO.
The research suggests the potential significance of circadian rhythm disturbances in ALS, indicating that baseline DLMO could serve as an exploratory marker for prognosis regarding functional decline and survival. However, the authors noted that more extensive studies are needed before DLMO can be officially recognized as a prognostic biomarker.
As stated in the study, “DLMO remains an exploratory measure rather than a tool for clinical decisions.” Although these findings provide important insights, the observational nature of the study does not allow for definitive conclusions about causality.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.