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Association between telomere length and insomnia: A mendelian randomization and colocalization study
Dan He1, Peilin Meng1, Chun'e Li1
1Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases, National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Sleep Medicine
|October 1, 2022
Summary
This study explored the genetic links between telomere length (TL) and insomnia. While a correlation was found in females, no causal link was established, though a candidate gene was identified.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Sleep Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Previous research suggests a link between sleep and telomere length (TL).
- The genetic underpinnings of this association, particularly concerning insomnia, remain largely unexplored.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for potential therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic correlation between telomere length (TL) and insomnia.
- To explore a potential causal relationship between TL and insomnia using genetic data.
- To identify specific genes that may mediate the association between TL and insomnia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for TL and insomnia-related traits.
- Employed polygenic risk scores (PRS), linear regression, and linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression in the UK Biobank.
- Conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analyses to assess causality and identify shared genetic factors.
Main Results:
- A significant association between TL and insomnia was observed in female samples.
- LDSC regression revealed a genetic correlation between shorter TL and insomnia.
- Mendelian randomization analysis did not find a significant causal association between insomnia and TL; however, rs12638862 was colocalized, implicating TERC.
Conclusions:
- No evidence of a causal association between insomnia and TL was found in individuals of European ancestry.
- A candidate gene, TERC, was identified as potentially involved in the association between insomnia and TL.
- These findings offer new insights into the genetic factors influencing the relationship between sleep and telomere length.
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