 |
| Man suffering from Insomnia |
Lacking the Sleep you Need? could be in your Genes...
It can be observed, through previously done testing, that an
ongoing lack of sleep can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease,
diabetes, depression, and other mental illnesses. In a 2018 study, done by
Murray Stein of the University of California, the previously known relationship
between hereditary and insomnia was retested, to find the specific gene
variants that are involved.
To complete his research, Stein and his team, DNA from more
than 33,000 soldiers, in addition to soldiers of European, African, and Latino descent,
were taken and studied; this was completed to determine whether ancestral
lineage was a factor. The results were incredible. Stein’s study verified that insomnia,
indeed, was partially due to genetics. In addition, it was confirmed that a
link between insomnia and type II Diabetes and depression existed.
This genetic variance occurs on chromosome 7, and in European
descents, a difference on chromosome 9. On chromosome 7, a correlation between
the gene AUTS2, the gene for alcohol consumption, and the lack of sleep was
found. These traits are in direct relation to brain development. According to
Stein, “Such insomnia associated loci may contribute to the genetic risk
underlying a range of health conditions including psychiatric disorders and
metabolic disease.” Stein’s study holds importance, because it could change the
way people suffering from insomnia are treated. New, safer treatments could
possibly emerge, in the future, simply by understanding the molecular bases of
insomnia.
No comments:
Post a Comment