Methods for treating circadian rhythm phase disturbances
First Claim
1. A method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human comprising the step of administering an amount of melatonin to the human over a treatment period, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to achieve a phase-shifting effect in the human, at an administration time prior to an individual human'"'"'s dim light melatonin onset time, wherein when the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase advance, the administration time is from about CT 3 to about CT 22, and when the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase delay, the administration time is from about CT 13 to about CT 6, and wherein the melatonin administration time on each day of melatonin administration can change during the treatment period, whereby the administration time remains at a constant time relative to the individual human'"'"'s dim light endogenous melatonin onset time or melatonin phase response curve.
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Abstract
A method for treating circadian rhythm phase disorders is described. The invention provides methods to specifically advance or delay the phase of certain circadian rhythms in humans. The disclosed methods relate to the administration of melatonin at times determined with relation to the time of dim light endogenous melatonin onset. Embodiments capable of alleviating the effects of jet lag, winter depression and shift-work sleep disturbance are provided.
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45 Claims
- 1. A method for achieving a circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect in a human comprising the step of administering an amount of melatonin to the human over a treatment period, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to achieve a phase-shifting effect in the human, at an administration time prior to an individual human'"'"'s dim light melatonin onset time, wherein when the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase advance, the administration time is from about CT 3 to about CT 22, and when the circadian rhythm phase-shifting effect is a phase delay, the administration time is from about CT 13 to about CT 6, and wherein the melatonin administration time on each day of melatonin administration can change during the treatment period, whereby the administration time remains at a constant time relative to the individual human'"'"'s dim light endogenous melatonin onset time or melatonin phase response curve.
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