A familial natural short sleep mutation promotes healthy aging and extends lifespan in .

Sleep loss typically imposes negative effects on animal health. However, humans with a rare genetic mutation in the gene () present an exception; these individuals sleep less without the usual effects associated with sleep deprivation. Thus, it has been suggested that the mutation activates compensatory mechanisms that allows these individuals to thrive with less sleep.

A familial natural short sleep mutation promotes healthy aging and extends lifespan in .

Sleep loss typically imposes negative effects on animal health. However, humans with a rare genetic mutation in the gene ( ) present an exception; these individuals sleep less without the usual effects associated with sleep deprivation. Thus, it has been suggested that the mutation activates compensatory mechanisms that allows these individuals to thrive with less sleep.