Genetics of Sleep Timing, Duration, and Homeostasis in Humans

This article reviews the genetic underpinnings of sleep timing, duration, and homeostasis in healthy adult sleepers. Phenotypic individual differences in circadian and sleep measures as well as in neurobehavioral performance have motivated recent studies using candidate gene approaches to predict baseline (fully-rested conditions) responses and responses to sleep loss (acute total and chronic partial sleep deprivation). Several important circadian and noncircadian genetic biomarkers are involved in differential vulnerability to sleep loss. The search for other potential genetic biomarkers, using candidate gene and genome-wide association approaches, will lead to effective prediction of response and use of countermeasures to sleep loss. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.