title: Evidence for genetic influences on sleep disturbance and sleep pattern in twins.
abstract: The etiologic role of genotype and environment in sleep pattern (daytime napping, habitual bedtime, and sleep duration) and subjective sleep quality and sleep disturbance was examined using a general population sample of 3,810 adult Australian twin pairs, aged 17-88 years. Genetic differences accounted for at least 33% of the variance in sleep quality and sleep disturbance and 40% of the variance in sleep pattern. There was no evidence for a decline in the importance of genetic predisposition with age. Short-term environmental fluctuations accounted for as much as 30% of the variance, and more stable nonfamilial environmental effects accounted for the remainder. No effect of shared family environment on sleep characteristics was found.
authors: Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Heath
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Kendler
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Eaves
authors: N G
authors: NG
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics