Nice Genes!

The Circadian Rhythm

Nov 14, 2023

The podcast discusses the importance of sleep, the concept of circadian rhythms, and the connection between sleep and ADHD. It also explores the high rates of insomnia in Japan and its impact on the country's work culture. Additionally, the podcast delves into the fascinating world of recurring dreams and explores the evolutionary aspects of sleep in animals and humans.

28:19

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Quick takeaways

Circadian rhythms play a crucial role in sleep and learning, with specific genes CHRM1 and CHRM3 essential for REM sleep and brain connectivity.

ADHD symptoms and sleep problems are genetically linked, highlighting the importance of aligning sleep schedules to improve ADHD symptoms and overall well-being.

Deep dives

The Importance of Circadian Rhythms and Sleep in Learning and Memory

Research has shown that circadian rhythms, the body's internal 24-hour clock, play a crucial role in our sleep patterns and overall health. Dr. Hiroki Wida's study on sleep genetics found that certain genes, CHRM1 and CHRM3, are essential for REM sleep and play a role in learning and memory. Without REM sleep, mice experienced memory deficits and learning disabilities. The study suggests that sleep is not just for resting, but also for strengthening brain connections and enhancing learning during the sleep cycle.

Introduction

2min

Recurring Dreams and Unsettling Feelings in Dreams

2min

The Importance of Sleep and its Connection to Brain Activity

14min

Insomnia and the Impact on Japan's Work Culture

8min

Exploring Circadian Rhythms in Animals and Humans

3min

Challenging our assumptions about sleep

Sleep is essential to our lives, but our perception of how it functions in our non-waking life is not always well understood. So in the mires of our busy daily lives do we overlook sleep by seeing it as a means of refilling our energy for a productive day? By questioning this assumption, one term rolls from out of the haze: The ‘Circadian Rhythm’.

Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with Dr. Hiroki Ueda from the University of Tokyo in the Faculty of Medicine on demystifying the links between our sleep and genomics. Then neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Coogan shares the connection between sleep and ADHD. Finally, we hear from Dr. Ueda and Dr. Hiroshi Ono, from Hitotsubashi University Business School, on how their homeland of Japan is reckoning with an off-balance relationship with sleep and work.

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Highlights:

(06:37) - Clocks in our bodies, understanding Circadian Rythms

(10:17) - Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder and later sleep, a chicken or egg dilemma

(15:19) - Challenging overwork in Japan and the importance of sleep

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Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/47PXwuv

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Resources:

Molecular Mechanisms of REM Sleep | Neurosci

The ability to dream may be genetic | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)

Next-Generation Mice Genetics for Circadian Studies | Neuromethods