New drug 'could shift sleep patterns'

People who do shift work for their job and find they have difficulty getting into a regular sleeping pattern when they go to bed may receive help in the form of a new drug.

Researchers in Australia have found a new medicine which acts on the melatonin receptors in the brain and it is thought that this could treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

The drug, called Tasimelteon, also improved a patient's ability to fall and stay asleep when their bedtime was moved five hours earlier, which could be useful for those who often have to travel across time zones.

Shantha Rajaratnam from Monash University's School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, said: "Our studies show that Tasimelteon is able to effectively shift the rhythm of melatonin levels in the body, which are a well-established marker of the human biological clock."

Those who do find their sleep patterns are disrupted may find that they get a better night's sleep by investing in a Tempur mattress, as its memory foam technology can help relieve pressure on the body.

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