title: Treatment of delirium with ramelteon: initial experience in three patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ramelteon for treating delirium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients were prescribed ramelteon for delirium. The severity of the delirium was assessed using the Japanese version of the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale scores improved after treatment with ramelteon in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases suggest that ramelteon may be beneficial in the treatment of delirium. Randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, 558-8558, Japan. kimura@psy.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Kohji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumazaki
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yanagida
authors.forename: Satoki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003693:Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007192:Indenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007192:Indenes; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C495910:ramelteon