title: [Delirium, insomnia in hospitalization and ramelteon].
abstract: Ramelteon acts on a highly selective melatonin (MT1/MT2) receptor agonist. During delirium in postoperative and critically ill patients, a disruption of the sleep-wake cycle is frequently observed. Melatonin has a key role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, so this raised the hypothesis that alterations in the metabolism of melatonin might play an important role in the development of delirium. Ramelteon and exogenous melatonin may have a prophylactic treatment for frail older persons at high risk for delirium that is safe, effective, and easily implementable in daily practice. However, there is currently insufficient evidence that ramelteon and exogenous melatonin is effective in preventing or treating postoperative delirium and sleep disorders in the critically ill patient.
authors.affiliation: Ekimae Clinic.
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D003693:Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007192:Indenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007192:Indenes; C495910:ramelteon; D008550:Melatonin