[New hypnotics ramelteon for the treatment of insomniacs with circadian rhythm disturbance].

Abstract

Ramelteon is a new class of sleep agent that selectively binds to the melatonin type 1 (MT1) and type 2 (MT2) receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), instead of binding to GABA-A receptors such as with traditional hypnotics benzodiazepines. Ramelteon exhibits not only acute sleep-promoting effect but also circadian phase-shifting effect via MT1 and MT2 receptors respectively, and has been revealed to contribute to the treatment of acute and chronic insomnia in patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorders(sleep-wake rhythm disorders) or with inappropriate timing of sleep habits. Optimal administration plan for insomniac patients to induce these characteristic sleep-modulating effects by ramelteon was discussed.

• Authors: Kazuo Mishima
• Journal: Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine (Nihon Rinsho) Vol. 70 Issue 6 Pg. 1069-78 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 0047-1852 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 22690618 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Indenes
• ramelteon

Topics

• Chronobiology Disorders (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (therapeutic use)
• Indenes (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (drug therapy)