Psychology Commons^™

Melatonin And Its Effect On Learning And Memory, Nechama Leah Bauman (Cahn)

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Melatonin is a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland and secreted into the body in a circadian rhythm. Melatonin is known to be involved in many vital body functions, including sleep, reproduction, and immune response. Exogenous melatonin, sold as over the counter natural supplements in drugstores, is commonly taken by many people to help cure various ailments. Melatonin also plays a role in the hippocampus. This paper investigates the effects of melatonin on long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Long-term potentiation, described as a long-lasting strengthening of synapses between nerve cells, is thought to be responsible for long-term memory retention. It …