title: Ramelteon for the treatment of delirium in elderly patients: a consecutive case series study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Melatonin is effective in the prevention and treatment of delirium. Ramelteon has few adverse effects and higher affinity for MT1 and MT2 receptors than melatonin. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ramelteon in elderly patients with delirium caused by different primary diseases/conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated 10 consecutive elderly patients having delirium with ramelteon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 10 patients, six showed improvement, and no marked adverse effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggested that ramelteon was a safe and useful alternative to melatonin for the treatment of delirium in elderly patients. Randomized, controlled studies are necessary to confirm the therapeutic benefits of ramelteon.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsuda
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naganawa
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Tempei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Otsubo
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ishigooka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007192:Indenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007192:Indenes; C495910:ramelteon
keywords: delirium; elderly patients; melatonin; ramelteon