Tiny Genetic Fragments May Be Key to Brain's Sleep-Wake Cycle

An international study led by Pompeu Fabra University and the Center for Genomic Regulation reveals that microexons—tiny neuronal gene fragments—play a critical role in regulating sleep and wakefulness. Abnormal patterns of these microexons cause hyperarousal, a state of heightened neural activity leading to insomnia. This discovery links genetic mechanisms to sleep disorders commonly associated with stress and neurodevelopmental conditions. Understanding how microexons function could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating insomnia and related neurological conditions.