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A key role for melatonin in the REM sleep phase has been identified
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A major breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of sleep opens up new prospects for the treatment of sleep disorders and related neuropsychiatric conditions: scientists have identified the melatonin receptor MT1 as an important regulator of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
REM sleep is important for dreaming, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. In the brain, the melatonin receptor MT1 influences the type of neurons that synthesize the neurotransmitter and hormone norepinephrine, located in an area known as the locus coeruleus.
During REM sleep, these neurons become quiet and stop firing. Serious conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, which currently have no effective treatments, are associated with REM sleep disturbances.
"This discovery not only advances our understanding of sleep mechanisms, but also has significant clinical potential," said Gabriella Gobbi, principal investigator of the new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. She is a professor of psychiatry at McGill University, a research fellow at the McGill University Health Centre and chair of the Canada Research Council's Mental Health Therapy Fellowship.
Human sleep unfolds in a precise sequence of non-REM and REM stages, each of which performs different physiological functions. REM sleep plays a key role in memory consolidation and emotional regulation. Non-REM sleep supports physical recovery and repair processes. Disruptions to this cycle can impair cognitive function and increase vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Until now, the specific receptor that triggers REM sleep has eluded scientists. New research has identified the melatonin receptor MT1 as an important regulator of this sleep stage. Using a new drug that targets MT1 receptors, the researchers successfully increased the duration of REM sleep in experimental animals while reducing neuronal activity.
"There are currently no drugs that specifically target REM sleep. Most hypnotic drugs on the market, although they increase overall sleep duration, usually have a negative effect on REM sleep," said Dr. Stefano Comai, one of the study's lead authors, a professor at the University of Padova and an adjunct professor at McGill University.
Further research into the neurobiology and pharmacology of REM sleep is important for developing targeted therapies that can improve the quality of life for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions. As scientists continue to unravel the complexities of sleep regulation, the hope for effective interventions for neurological disorders becomes more realistic.