Can't Sleep? Could Be Down to Genetics

Researchers of the University of California San Diego have identified specific genes that may trigger the development of sleep problems, and have also demonstrated a genetic link between insomnia and psychiatric disorders such as depression, or physical conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Specific genes may trigger the development of sleep problems. Image credit: tasnimnews.com (CC BY 4.0)

The effects insomnia has on a person's health can be debilitating and place a strain on the healthcare system.

Chronic insomnia goes hand in hand with various long-term health issues such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide.

Twin studies have in the past shown that various sleep-related traits, including insomnia, are heritable. Based on these findings, researchers have started to look into the specific gene variants involved.

The study confirms that insomnia has a partially heritable basis. The researchers also found a strong genetic link between insomnia and type 2 diabetes.

Among participants of European descent, there was additionally a genetic tie between sleeplessness and major depression.

Insomnia was linked to the occurrence of specific variants on chromosome 7. In people of European descent, there were also differences on chromosome 9.

The variant on chromosome 7, for instance, is close to AUTS2, a gene that has been linked to alcohol consumption, as well as others that relate to brain development and sleep-related electric signaling.

Several of these variants rest comfortably among locations and pathways already known to be related to sleep and circadian rhythms. Such insomnia associated loci may contribute to the genetic risk underlying a range of health conditions including psychiatric disorders and metabolic disease. (Tasnim News Agency)

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