Circadian Rythm Sleep Disorder (OT)

[Guest guest]

I dont know about the rest of you, but I think I better start going

to bed at more regular times if I want to give poor LDN a chance.

There are quite a few lifestyle changes I need to make I think.

Article of interest:

People with extremely early or extremely late sleep times may suffer

from Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder

Posted By: News-Medical in Medical Condition News

Published: Friday, 11-Jun-2004

You probably know " night owls, " those people not ready to fall asleep

until the wee hours of the morning. And, you may also know " larks, "

those early risers who wake before the sun comes up and are ready for

bed right after dinner. People with extremely early or extremely late

sleep times may suffer from Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder (CRSD).

In CRSD a person's circadian system makes it difficult for them to

sleep at the time they wish to schedule. This condition is very

prevalent in the population and people with CRSD often experience

diminished quality of life, depression, impaired health, and are at

greater risk of having accidents.

There is evidence to indicate that CRSD is under genetic control as

approximately 50 percent of the people with this disorder have close

family members with a similar trait. Yet, currently very little is

known about the nature and prevalence of the changes in DNA sequence

that are responsible for the inheritable component of this condition.

To better understand the role genetics plays in CRSD, researchers at

the Arizona Respiratory Center are collaborating with scientists at

the University of California in San Diego (UCSD) to systematically

study the genetic variants associated with this disorder. The study

is being funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

(NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In the first phase of this three-year study researchers at UCSD,

under the direction of Dr. Kripke, professor of psychiatry,

will recruit 200 participants with delayed sleep phase

systems, " night owls. " Once a participant has met all of the clinical

criteria of this study, a small blood sample will be drawn and DNA

preserved for future testing. This sample will be shipped to the

Arizona Respiratory Center for analysis.

Genetic analysis aimed at determining which, of the nearly 30,000

human genes are responsible for the inherited component of CRSD will

be conducted at the Analytical Genetics Laboratory (AGL) at the

Arizona Respiratory Center, under the direction of Walt Klimecki, an

assistant research professor of medicine.

" Remarkable breakthroughs in our understanding of the cell biology

that controls circadian rhythm make the circadian control system an

outstanding model for studying how naturally occurring variation in

DNA sequence among people can dramatically alter something as basic

as sleep scheduling, " says Klimecki.

" This project underscores the value of state-of-the-art, genomics

laboratories, not only to the University of Arizona, but to the

larger scientific community. While Dr. Kripke's group is world-

renowned for its clinical studies of sleep disorders, it did not have

the capability to conduct a large-scale genetics study. The

Analytical Genetics Lab, unique at the University of Arizona in its

ability to process 'test-tube' reactions for human genetic analysis

at a very high throughput, was able to deliver the genetics and

computational expertise necessary to make this large-scale project

competitive enough to secure NIH funding. "

By discovering which genes are associated with CRSD, this study will

lay the groundwork for better clinical diagnostics for this

condition, as well as new therapies aimed at specific genes.

The Arizona Respiratory Center was designated the first Center of

Excellence at the UA College of Medicine in 1971, Today, the

internationally known Center combines the highest caliber of

research, clinical care and teaching. The Center is recognized as one

of the top institutions for respiratory care.