Regardless to differences in age, gender or background, one thing that all humans have in common is the desire for a good night’s sleep. However for some people this is a truly challenging task, every night a new battle. Common sleeping disorders, such as insomnia and night terrors, have been clinically diagnosed as being caused by anxiety, chronic pain or sudden changes in lifestyle, but who would have thought genetics could be to blame? A new study has identified a particular gene that controls the amount of sleep required by people each night. Outcomes of the research have shown that people with a rare genetic variation of the gene, DEC2, will naturally sleep less during the night. Although scientists knew that the variation in people’s sleeping patterns could be genetically explained, this research is the first of its kind to actually identify and locate the gene.
The research involved two controlled experiments, the first conducted on humans, the second on mice and fruit flies. To collaborate information, scientists examined the genes of several people who naturally slept less than average. Eventually the DEC2 gene was located in two sleep-deprived women, a gene that was absent in the rest of their family members who slept normal hours. To confirm the accuracy of their findings, the scientists ran a second experiment, this time using recombinant DNA technology to insert the ‘short-sleep’ gene into mice and fruit flies. Results show that the mice and flies with the DEC2 gene slept less than those with the standard version of the gene. Although it is still unsure whether people with this gene require more sleep to lead healthy functioning lives, this research is definitely a breakthrough in understanding the complexities of sleep and how genetics account for more than we’ll ever know.
By Omotola Oladapo
Related article:
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/46390/title/A_gene_for_a_short_night’s_sleep
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