We all have our days when we don't sleep when or get enough resulting in a tired day ahead. Research from Washington State University and multiple institute have connected our quality of sleep in different animals to our genes. Continued sleep studies have led to the finding of a mutation in a gene that produces a slower internal clock resulting in nocturnal tendencies. Jason Gerstner and his team found the expression of gene FABP7 reflected sleep impairment. With mice, when FABP7 is disabled it revealed a better restful sleep compared to mice that had the gene intact. A sleep study found 29 of 300 Japanese men had a variation on the FABP7, these men slept deeply but often were able to get up more feeling rested.
More genetic testing has revealed a mutation in the CRY1 gene that dictates the sleep-wake cycles, this alteration causes people to experience "night-time sleep delay" of two or more hours. Also known as delayed sleep phase disorder, falling to sleep may not be the only difficulty that this gene mutation will cause. For example the CRY1 gene is linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular disease. As more studies occur the more information connecting our genes our struggles of daily life will help people prepare.
I believe that genetic research has led to so much information that can alter a persons being, obviously this technology has to be in the right hands. Being able to find if you have an intact FABP7 or a mutation of CRY1 can help a person choose to change there life style in prevention of health risks accompanied by these genes. I would love to know if I have an alteration in my genes because I love working at night, there is less distraction and I can really focus.
I think this is a really interesting study because of how important is it that people get enough rest each night. Hopefully by identifying these genes, scientists will be able to diagnose sleep disorders more easily and find the cause within a person's genome. This could eventually lead to drugs or treatments for people with sleeping problems so that everyone can have a good night's rest.
ReplyDelete