Insomnia is a gene-driven disorder, scientists conclude
University of Exeter: DNA from 85,000 people revealed 47 genetic regions that influence sleep, particularly the PDE11A gene.
University of Exeter: DNA from 85,000 people revealed 47 genetic regions that influence sleep, particularly the PDE11A gene.
An analysis of DNA from more than 85,000 people made it possible to identify 47 genetic regions in the code that influence how quickly a person falls asleep, the duration of wakefulness and sleep, and sleep quality. Thirty-six of these genes caught the attention of specialists at the University of Exeter for the first time.
Twenty-six genes were responsible for sleep quality and serotonin production, while the remaining ten governed sleep duration. As a reminder, serotonin is a neurotransmitter previously linked to deep sleep. Scientists were particularly interested in the PDE11A gene. It influences both the quality and the quantity of sleep at the same time.
PDE11A had previously been proposed as a drug target in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders that affect mood and social behavior. As part of the study, volunteers had to wear accelerometers for a week to record their daytime and nighttime activity.
For this reason, the findings can be considered accurate. The researchers remind us that changes in sleep quality, duration, and bedtime are linked to a number of conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and psychiatric illnesses.
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