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Sleep Deprivation and the Epigenome.
Marie E Gaine1, Snehajyoti Chatterjee1, Ted Abel1
1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|March 15, 2018
Summary
Sleep deprivation impacts brain epigenetics, altering gene expression and cognitive functions like memory. These epigenetic changes may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for sleep disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Sleep deprivation profoundly affects brain molecular biology, impacting neuronal plasticity and cognitive functions.
- Epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, is crucial for regulating gene expression in memory storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of epigenetic alterations on gene expression.
- To discuss how sleep loss impacts the epigenome.
- To explore the potential of epigenetic changes as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for sleep disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on epigenetics and sleep deprivation.
- Focus on common epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.
Main Results:
- Sleep deprivation induces epigenetic alterations in the brain.
- These epigenetic changes may mediate cognitive deficits associated with sleep loss.
- Evidence suggests a link between sleep, epigenetics, and cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic alterations occur following sleep deprivation.
- The epigenome's role in sleep-related cognitive changes is an emerging area of research.
- Future research could leverage these epigenetic changes for diagnosing or treating sleep disorders.
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