Sleep Requirement Reduced by Gene Mutation
A rare gene mutation that reduces the amount of sleep required has been revealed through new research from the University of California. The gene, known as DEC2, reduces the need for sleep in general (two hours or less, on average). Those who have the gene have been found to require less sleep and also to recover from lack of sleep faster than someone who does not have the gene present, in a study conducted in San Francisco by Ying-Hui Fu, PhD.
“This is the first time a gene has been found in humans that critically and dramatically controls sleep,” said Mehdi Tafti, PhD, a geneticist and sleep researcher at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland not connected with the San Francisco findings: “We now have evidence that a gene mutation can dramatically change the amount of sleep you get.” Researchers experimented with genetically engineered mice to find how much sleep needed was significantly less than other mice without the gene, yet without detrimental side effects. The mice recovered from lack of sleep quicker than those without DEC2.
People who carry the DEC2 gene mutation might require only 6 hours as a recommended amount of sleep per night and also not require naps between. Others who sleep only 6 hours per night will require naps during the day or experience extreme fatigue. Richard Simon Jr., MD, medical director of the Kathryn Severyns Dement Sleep Disorders Center in Walla Walla, Washington, observes that most people require eight to eight and a half hours of sleep each night and experience extreme tiredness without it.
Fu noted that disruptions in normal sleep can serious affect mood, physical health and well being and cause a risk of cancer and an imbalance in endocrine function. “These changes in sleep in the mutant mice could provide an explanation for why human subjects with the mutation are able to live unaffected, despite not getting enough sleep throughout their lives,” he said.
The bad news if that the gene mutation is rare and found in only 1 in 60 families. However, the discovery of the effects of the DEC2 gene mutation might prompt research into developing a drug that might emulate the gene and become useful to those suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).
It was noted that the development of such a drug is unlikely to occur for some decades. Suffice to say that the discovery of the DEC2 gene mutation will afford an insight into the regulatory mechanisms of sleep needs, with the possibility of new treatments being sought for sleep problems in the future for those who wish to sleep less without damaging their health.
“This is the first time a gene has been found in humans that critically and dramatically controls sleep,” said Mehdi Tafti, PhD, a geneticist and sleep researcher at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland not connected with the San Francisco findings: “We now have evidence that a gene mutation can dramatically change the amount of sleep you get.” Researchers experimented with genetically engineered mice to find how much sleep needed was significantly less than other mice without the gene, yet without detrimental side effects. The mice recovered from lack of sleep quicker than those without DEC2.
People who carry the DEC2 gene mutation might require only 6 hours as a recommended amount of sleep per night and also not require naps between. Others who sleep only 6 hours per night will require naps during the day or experience extreme fatigue. Richard Simon Jr., MD, medical director of the Kathryn Severyns Dement Sleep Disorders Center in Walla Walla, Washington, observes that most people require eight to eight and a half hours of sleep each night and experience extreme tiredness without it.
Fu noted that disruptions in normal sleep can serious affect mood, physical health and well being and cause a risk of cancer and an imbalance in endocrine function. “These changes in sleep in the mutant mice could provide an explanation for why human subjects with the mutation are able to live unaffected, despite not getting enough sleep throughout their lives,” he said.
The bad news if that the gene mutation is rare and found in only 1 in 60 families. However, the discovery of the effects of the DEC2 gene mutation might prompt research into developing a drug that might emulate the gene and become useful to those suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).
It was noted that the development of such a drug is unlikely to occur for some decades. Suffice to say that the discovery of the DEC2 gene mutation will afford an insight into the regulatory mechanisms of sleep needs, with the possibility of new treatments being sought for sleep problems in the future for those who wish to sleep less without damaging their health.
Source...