Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Noninvasive, High-throughput Determination of Sleep Duration in Rodents
Published on: April 18, 2018
Genetic Markers of Sleep and Sleepiness
1Division of Sleep and Chronobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 1017 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, USA.
Abstract:
The circadian clock interacts with the sleep homeostatic drive in humans. Chronotype and sleep parameters show substantial heritability, underscoring a genetic component to these measures. This article reviews the genetic underpinnings of chronotype and of sleep, including sleepiness, sleep quality and latency, and sleep timing and duration in healthy adult sleepers, drawing on candidate gene and genome-wide association studies. Notably, both circadian and noncircadian genes associate with individual differences in chronotype and in sleep parameters. The article concludes with a brief discussion of future research directions.
Related Concept Videos
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Narcolepsy
Understanding Sleep
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

