( MINNEAPOLIS June 13 2007 /PRNewswire...)Study Demonstrated Rozerem (ramelteon) Does Not Affect,Middle-of-the-Night Balance in Older Adults with Insomnia,Health

MINNEAPOLIS, June 13, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Two studies presented today demonstrated that Rozerem did not affect body sway at peak plasma levels, nor did it impair middle-of-the-night balance, mobility or memory performance in patients who suffer from chronic insomnia. The results of the studies were presented at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

"These data are important because they show that ROZEREM may be a safe sleep medication for the many older adults who worry about their balance when they need to get up in the middle of the night. These studies also showed that the patients' memories were not affected by ROZEREM the next morning," said Gary Zammit, PhD, director, Sleep Disorders Institute, New York.

ROZEREM works differently from other prescription sleep medications. It specifically targets an area of the brain believed to be involved in the regulation of the body's normal sleep-wake cycle. It is the first prescription sleep medication that is not a controlled substance, and has shown no evidence of abuse or dependence in clinical studies.

ROZEREM Study Design 1: Effect on Body Sway

A total of 275 adults with chronic insomnia received ROZEREM 8 mg, zopiclone 7.5 mg or placebo in a 28-night double-blind treatment period. The primary endpoint was calculated area of center of pressure (COP), in cm2, recorded on the balance platform with eyes open. Zopiclone (Imovane(R) and Zimovane(R)) was used as a positive control. On night 14, patients were given a balance test one-and-a-half hours before dosing. Patients were then given their randomized medications and went to sleep. Approximately two hours after they had taken their treatments, the patients were awakened to take the balance test once again.

Results showed that at the time of predicted near-peak plasma levels, the effect of ROZEREM on body sway was no different from placebo
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