Research summaries for autism therapy: Rozerem (ramelteon)

definition of Rozerem (ramelteon): Ramelteon™ is an oral medication (tablets) for treatment of insomnia (an inability to sleep well). Ramelteon stimulates melatonin receptors in the nervous system, thereby promoting sleepiness. Many children with autism have problems sleeping and ramelteon is currently being tested for effectiveness in children with autism.

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Treatment with melatonin may help children with autism sleep better.

This review article describes the role of melatonin in treating sleep problems. Melatonin is a compound in the brain that helps the brain move through different phases in the sleep cycle. Many children with autism have low levels of melatonin and studies seem to agree that melatonin is a safe and helpful treatment for sleep problems in children with autism. Melatonin treatment also helps children with autism be more awake during the day. The drug ramelteon acts on the same part of the brain as melatonin and may also be a helpful treatment for sleep problems. Read more...

Ramelteon may help sleep problems in children with autism.

Many children with autism have trouble sleeping (insomnia). This case study describes the effects of ramelteon on two boys (ages 7 and 18) with autism. Both boys had trouble getting to sleep and these problems improved when they were treated with ramelteon. When on ramelteon, the boys did not have any daytime sleepiness, nor did they have headaches or dizziness. Unlike other sleep aids, ramelteon does not seem to cause difficulty thinking (cognitive impairment).
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Synonyms for Rozerem (ramelteon) include: ramelteon, Ramelteon™, Rozerem
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