Health
Finding the Sleeper Gene
As far as getting a good night's sleep is concerned, a cup of hot chocolate or a good book before switching off the lights may be just a waste of time. New research indicates the problem may be genetic.
Research at the University of Utah suggests a single sort of "blue" gene makes you tired and miserable. This gene is believed to operate the body's clock, telling it when to sleep and when to wake up -- except that in some people, the clock runs on a different time.
The researchers monitored several generations of three families with a specific disorder called advanced sleep-phase syndrome (ASPS) and found if isolated from light and other people, ASPS sufferers tended to fall asleep around 7 p.m. and get up around 4 or 5 a.m., whereas normal people slept from around 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The team is now trying to isolate the "blue" gene responsible for the body's circadian -- 24-hour -- rhythm. They believe the gene therapy that could result could someday help insomniacs get a good night's sleep -- and possibly even help travelers overcome the effects of jet lag.
Research at the University of Utah suggests a single sort of "blue" gene makes you tired and miserable. This gene is believed to operate the body's clock, telling it when to sleep and when to wake up -- except that in some people, the clock runs on a different time.
The researchers monitored several generations of three families with a specific disorder called advanced sleep-phase syndrome (ASPS) and found if isolated from light and other people, ASPS sufferers tended to fall asleep around 7 p.m. and get up around 4 or 5 a.m., whereas normal people slept from around 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The team is now trying to isolate the "blue" gene responsible for the body's circadian -- 24-hour -- rhythm. They believe the gene therapy that could result could someday help insomniacs get a good night's sleep -- and possibly even help travelers overcome the effects of jet lag.
