ABSTRACT
The BDNF gene contains a polymorphism (Val66Met) that influences sleep and may be associated with more flexible adaptation to circadian misalignment. Fifteen adult men (10 Val/Val homozygotes, 5 Val/Met heterozygotes) participated in a laboratory study involving two 5 d cycles of simulated night shifts. Circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured from plasma, sleep was recorded polysomnographically, and performance was measured using a psychomotor vigilance test. Compared to Val/Val homozygotes, heterozygotes exhibited a blunted IL-6 temporal (diurnal) pattern, less daytime sleep restriction, and less nighttime performance impairment after the first simulated night-shift cycle. These observations suggest that heterozygotes experienced more flexible circadian adaptation.
Acknowledgements
We thank the laboratory staff and the volunteer subjects. We also thank Thomas Balkin, Melissa Mallis, and Siobhan Banks, who served as a peer-review committee for the design and analysis of this study. The research was supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under contract DTMC75-07-D-00006; an Elliot D. Weitzman, M.D. Research Grant from the Sleep Research Society Foundation; and U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command award W81XWH-18-1-0100.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest.