Family members who inherited one copy of this mutant gene had a shortened sleep cycle. They found a rare mutation in the ADRB1 gene that was being passed through the family. Using whole exome genome sequencing, the researchers searched for gene mutations that only the naturally short sleepers had. Results were published online on August 28, 2019, in Neuron. The research was supported in part by NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Louis Ptáček at the University of California, San Francisco carried out a study in a family with three generations of naturally short sleepers to look for genes involved in their unusual sleep patterns. To better understand why some people need much less sleep than most, a team led by Dr. Previous studies have led to the identification of over 50 families with people who need less than six and a half hours of sleep a night to feel well rested. You may not be getting quality sleep if you don’t feel rested after you’ve slept enough, you repeatedly wake up during the night, or you experience symptoms of sleep disorders, like snoring or gasping for air. Good quality sleep means that you’ve gotten enough of two different phases of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM)-the deep sleep in which dreaming happens-and non-REM. Healthy sleep involves not only getting enough hours of sleep, but sleeping at the right time of day and having good quality sleep. Not getting enough sleep can lead to physical and mental health problems. Most adults need to sleep seven or more hours each night. The amount of sleep you need changes as you age, and sleep needs vary from person to person. Getting enough sleep is important for good health and well-being. Some people need less sleep than others, and researchers are starting to understand why.

4.5 hours deep sleep