Plain-English translation of NCT03954899 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This trial is testing whether melatonin, a common over-the-counter sleep supplement, might help protect brain health and thinking skills in older adults. Researchers want to see if taking 5mg of melatonin daily for 9 months can slow down memory and thinking changes that sometimes happen with aging. The study will compare people taking the medication to those taking a placebo (a fake pill) to see if there's a real benefit.
Sleep problems are common in older adults and may be linked to changes in the brain that lead to memory loss and cognitive decline. This trial exists to test whether improving sleep with this medication might help protect thinking and memory skills before serious problems develop.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
You will participate in this study for about 9 months. You'll start by visiting the clinic for a baseline visit with thinking and memory tests. Then you'll wear a watch that tracks your sleep for 8 weeks without taking any study medication. After that, you'll return to the clinic and begin taking either the medication or a placebo daily for the next 9 months while continuing to wear the sleep-tracking watch. You'll have phone check-ins and return to the clinic for follow-up visits with more thinking and memory tests. You'll also have two blood draws during the study to check biomarkers related to brain health.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 4, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States