Gene found that allows people to sleep less

By Rachel Stockton (rachels@foodconsumer.org)

A new sleep study out of the University of California supports the premise that people who sleep less have a genetic mutation that makes them prone to a different sleep pattern than the rest of us have.

Of 1000 people studied, only two had the mutation:  a mother and daughter.  They retired at 11:00 pm and slept until 5:00 a.m., every day.  However, they suffered no ill effects from a lack of sleep.

Dr. Ying-hui Fu, a neurologist involved with the study, has also studied the same mutation in mice; he bred mice to carry the gene responsible for the condition.  The mice slept less and exhibited no adverse affects to their routine.

The DNA link is significant because in establishing new medications to help the sleep deprived, researchers can develop a drug that will alter the brain pathways that inhibit sleep in those that carry the mutation.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 50-70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders; the new research may help to relieve the physiological problem that some suffer from.

Although the mutation is a physical problem, it is also relatively rare occurrence.  For the rest of us who have insomnia issues, the solution lies in creating healthy "sleep hygiene."  According to the Sleep Disorder Institute, the following suggestions may help encourage peaceful sleep:

*Establish a regular bedtime and rise time

*Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening

*Take a hot bath two hours before bedtime

*Create a comfortable sleep environment

*Sleep in a dark, quiet environment that is humidity and temperature controlled

*Establish a pre-bedtime routine, such as washing your face, putting on pajamas, and reading

In addition to these helpful suggestions, the Institute also recommends that insomniacs not drink caffeine or smoke.  Additionally, try not to be hyper-vigilant about the time.  Turn the clock towards the wall if you have trouble in this regard; there's nothing that feeds insomnia more than fixating on how much sleep you're losing.