Thus, we propose to study the effects of melatonin administration in patients with severe structural brain injuries and disorders of consciousness. An existing, though small, literature supports the probable success of this study; in neurodegenerative patients melatonin supplementation has shown modest benefit in improving some cognitive and noncognitive symptoms (Riemersma-van der Lek et al. 2008). Pediatric patients with traumatic brain injuries have been considered for treatment with melatonin based on similar considerations (Keegan et al. 2013)