Can't sleep? Could be down to genetics

    

          Just recently, “researchers 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. Up to 20 percent of Americans and up to 50 percent of US military veterans are said to have trouble sleeping.” Many humans fare faced with insomnia and cannot fall asleep too quickly. This could also be due to stress, work-related issues, family problems, or just heath issues. Discussed in the article “… in this study, Stein’s research team conducted genome-wide association studied (GWAS). DNA sample obtained from than 33,000 soldiers participating in the Army Study To Assess Risk and Resilience in Service-members (STARRS) were analyzed.

         Data from soldiers of European, African and Latino descent were grouped separately as part of efforts to identify the influence of specific ancestral lineages. Stein and his colleagues also compared their results with those of two recent studies that used data from the UK Biobank.” (Springer, 2018). This study conducted had the conclusion that “insomnia has a partially heritable basis. The researchers also found a strong genetic link between insomnia and type 2 diabetes.” (Springer, 2018). Stein says, “The genetics correlation between insomnia disorder and other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, and physical disorders such as type 2 diabetes suggests a shared genetic diathesis fo these commonly co-occuring phenotypes.” (Springer, 2018). 

Link to study: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180309095520.htm

Original study:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-018-0033-5

Springer. (2018, March 9). Can't sleep? Could be down to genetics: Large study confirms that insomnia is hereditary. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 3, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180309095520.htm