Abstract
Sleep is a fundamental behavior in higher animals that is under substantial genetic control. Genetic studies in animal models have uncovered genomic loci associated with specific traits, validated the key role of neurotransmitter systems in sleep-wake regulation, identified genes responsible for controlling sleep-wake traits, and demonstrated genetic overlap in the regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms. Future studies are expected to reveal additional genes and gene networks underlying certain sleep-wake traits, advancing understanding of the molecular basis of sleep, which may suggest answers to the question of why we sleep and provide insight into the relationship between sleep and chronic diseases.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 141-154 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Sleep Medicine Clinics |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2011 |
Keywords
- Animal models
- Circadian rhythms
- Genetics
- Rodents
- Sleep
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology