Melatonin treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders

This study investigated the effects of melatonin administration on circadia n rhythm sleep disorders, and aimed to clarify clinical characteristics of melatonin responders. The subjects were 46 patients with circadian rhythm s leep disorders: 30 Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) and 16 non-24 h slee p-wake syndrome (non-24). Patients took 0.3-1.0 mg of melatonin 5, 3 and Ih before habitual bedtime. Seventeen patients responded to melatonin (12 DSP S, five non-24). Comparison of clinical background between responders and n on-responders revealed that the responders were characterized by short tota l sleep time and later onset age of clinical symptoms.