Efficacy and Safety of Circadin® in the Treatment of Sleep Disturbances in Children With Neurodevelopment Disabilities

This is a randomized placebo-controlled study in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and neurodevelopmental disabilities caused by neurogenetic diseases. Children who are found to be eligible for the study will follow a 4-week, basic sleep hygiene and behavioral intervention wash-out period, and will continue in a 2-week single-blind (SB) placebo run-in period. Then, they will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Circadin® 2 mg or placebo for 3 weeks in a double-blind treatment period. After 3 weeks of treatment, on the last day of Week 5 ±3 days (Visit 3), sleep variables will be assessed to determine if dose modification (an increase to 5 mg) is required. Children will then continue on 2 or 5 mg of Circadin® or placebo for an additional double-blind period of 10 weeks. This double-blind period will be followed by an open-label period of 13 weeks. At the end of the 13-week open-label period on the last day of Week 28 ±3 days (Visit 5), sleep variables will be assessed to determine if a potential additional dose modification (i.e., an increase either to 5 mg for patients who are still on 2 mg or an increase to 10 mg for patients who are on 5 mg) is necessary (If a dose increase is decided upon, the dose increase should be from 2 mg to 5 mg, or 5 mg to 10 mg). Children will continue at 2, 5, or 10 mg Circadin® in an open-label period for another 78 weeks of follow-up, which will include continuous safety monitoring and 2 efficacy assessment time points at Weeks 41 and 54. The study will end with a 2-week SB placebo run-out period. Each patient will participate in the study until the end of the second open-label safety follow-up period, and 2 week run-out period. The study duration will be 112 weeks, including the 4-week wash-out period with sleep hygiene and behavioral intervention.