Although humans prefer to be active during the day and to sleep at night, diurnal preference (""""""""morningness-eveningness"""""""") is highly variable in the population and influenced by many factors. Recently, variations in circadian rhythmicity associated with moderate diurnal preference have been reported. Individuals with extreme diurnal preference (definite morning and evening types) often have an inability to sleep and/or wake at their desired times, and such misalignment between sleep timing and the 24-h social and physical environment can lead to the circadian rhythm sleep disorders Advanced or Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS, DSPS). In the past decade, the genetic basis of circadian rhythmicity has been well-established, including identification of """"""""clock"""""""" genes that comprise the molecular mechanism for the generation of circadian rhythms. Because of the relationship between circadian rhythms and diurnal preference, and the established genetic regulation of the circadian system in animals, there is likely to be a genetic basis to extreme diurnal preference and the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. There are reports of associations between diurnal preference and polymorphisms in clock genes, and reports of clock gene alterations in patients with ASPS and DSPS, although not all studies agree. These discrepancies may be due to the phenotyping methods used in those studies. Much remains unknown about the chronobiologic and sleep mechanisms, as well as the genetic basis, of these phenotypes. Here we propose a thorough phenotypic and genetic evaluation of extreme diurnal types to determine the underlying chronobiologic and genetic basis of human diurnal preference, thereby linking specific genes with observable behavior. A careful evaluation of the endogenous circadian phase (Specific Aim 1), period (Specific Aim 2), and pattern of sleep propensity (Specific Aim 3), using well-established methods (constant routine and forced desynchrony protocols) is likely to yield distinct phenotypic groups exhibiting trait-like behaviors? Genetic analysis of extreme diurnal types (Specific Aim 4) may identify associated polymorphisms in clock genes. These data should provide better understanding of the chronobiologic and genetic basis of extreme diurnal preference, leading to better treatments for circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL080978-03
Application #
7388889
Study Section
Neural Basis of Psychopathology, Addictions and Sleep Disorders Study Section (NPAS)
Program Officer
Twery, Michael
Project Start
2006-04-14
Project End
2010-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$305,865
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
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