Genetics of sleep and sleep disorders

Sleep remains one of the least understood phenomena in biology--even its role in synaptic plasticity remains debatable. Since sleep was recognized to be regulated genetically, intense research has launched on two fronts: the development of model organisms for deciphering the molecular mechanisms of sleep and attempts to identify genetic underpinnings of human sleep disorders. In this Review, we describe how unbiased, high-throughput screens in model organisms are uncovering sleep regulatory mechanisms and how pathways, such as the circadian clock network and specific neurotransmitter signals, have conserved effects on sleep from Drosophila to humans. At the same time, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered ～14 loci increasing susceptibility to sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome. To conclude, we discuss how these different strategies will be critical to unambiguously defining the function of sleep.     

Pharmacologic aspects of sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are becoming a major issue. Insomnia affects a substantial part of the population and may compromise individual quality of life. The principal existing hypnotic drugs, Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines are not safely. They have modes of action which results in the action of common mechanism: facilitating neurotransmission in GABAergic synapses. Stimulation of GABA receptors of the A type opens chloride ion channels which inhibits the ability of neurons to conduct nerve impulse. The clinical effects resulting which induce anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic and amnesic effects are discussed.