Is being sleepy in your genes

A recent study suggests that people with specific genes are more likely to endure restless nights and be sleepy during the day. This study could explain why some people seem to have no problem living off a few hours of sleep for a continued amount of time and while others cannot function under restricted sleep.

Dr Namni Goel was the head of this study which was held by the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine in Philadelphia. The findings of the study can be found in a comprehensive article in the October issue of the Medical Journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The study is particularly interested in the gene DQB1*0602. They found that people with this gene often had difficulty being alert during the day and have fragmented sleeping patterns throughout the night.

The study took several adults and followed their sleeping habits over a period of nights where their sleep was restricted; busy work hours, family obligations etc... They found that the individuals that had the gene in question; DQB1*0602, spent less time in a deep sleep and felt drowsy throughout the day. The adults without the gene dealt with the sleep deprivation much better.

The gene DQB1*0602 is linked to Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. This disorder can have dramatic effects on an individual. It distorts an individual's sleep/wake cycle, a person suffering with Narcolepsy may feel the desire to sleep at random points throughout the day or just spontaneously fall asleep for the duration of a couple of minutes.

Having the gene DQB1*0602 does not mean that you will have Narcolepsy, it just is a gene that is found in people that suffer from this sleeping disorder. Small proteins released from cells within the hypothalamus called Hypocretin help regulate the sleep/wake cycles. People who have the gene DQB1*0602 may improve their sleep/wake cycles if they were given medicine or substances that help increase or develop the protein Hypocretin.

Hopefully more research can be done to help determine what could help people who suffer with distorted sleep.