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Disruptions in sleep and sleep–wake cycle regulation have been identified as one of the main causes for the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. The search has been on for the identification of an ideal antidepressant that could improve both sleep disturbances and depressive symptomatology. Melatonin, the major hormone of the pineal gland, has been shown to improve sleep and is involved in the regulation of the sleep–wake cycle. Identification of high concentrations of MT₁ and MT₂ melatonergic receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus, the structure concerned with regulation of circadian rhythms and sleep–wake cycles, has led to the development of melatonergic agonists with greater potency and longer durations of action. Agomelatine is one such melatonergic agonist that acts specifically on MT₁/MT₂ melatonergic receptors and at the same time exhibits 5-HT_2C …