The Role of Melatonin in Morphofunctional Development of the Brain in Early Ontogeny

Аннотация

Abstract—This review summarizes the current understanding of the regulatory role of melatonin in the formation of the nervous system in the antenatal and early postnatal period of body development. We discuss questions concerning the involvement of melatonin and the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, which are the central oscillator of biorhythms, in the synchronization of the functions of various body systems. The mechanisms of protection of the developing brain from the damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation are discussed. We presented a detailed list of biomarkers of this process, whose analysis may help to evaluate disturbances of the cognitive functions in early ontogeny, which often have remote consequences. Special attention is paid to the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on offspring during hyperhomocysteinemia, which disturbs epigenetic regulation by affecting the methylation processes (methyltransferase activity) in the nervous system and entire body. This material justifies the prospects for the use of melatonin in clinics for the treatment of disorders of the functional activity of the brain of the fetus and newborn.