In a world where technology continuously pushes the boundaries of what we once thought was possible, DNA testing has evolved into a fascinating way of self-discovery. It is important to conduct detailed research before choosing a DNA testing company that aligns with your preferences. CriGenetics and 23andMe are two famous players in this field. They both offer DNA testing services and promise to reveal secrets buried in our genetic code.
For better clarification, we have compared these two well-known companies to help you make a suitable decision. This article will explore Cri Genetics and 23andMe, compare their services, and discover the differences that set them apart.
Did You Know? Your 23andMe DNA Data includes 700,000 markers, which can be used to learn everything from disease risk and drug sensitivities to nutritional requirements and fitness parameters. Learn more:
23andMe offers multiple services, including ancestry reports, health and wellness reports, and genetic matching with relatives.
It’s one of the leading players in the genetic ancestry testing niche.
23andMe offers several tools to make the most of your ancestry test results.
One such tool is called DNA Relatives.
This remarkable technology compares you with DNA matches with a common ancestor, revealing potential relatives you were unaware of.
At 23andMe, you can purchase an ancestry report for $99 or a health+ancestry report for $199.
In addition to your health+ancestry service, if you want access to advanced reports and features throughout the year, you can opt for the premium membership for $268.
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Cri Genetics is a relatively new field and has rapidly gained attention for its cutting-edge approach to DNA testing.
This company was founded by the experienced molecular geneticist Dr. Alexei Fedorov in 2016.
Cri Genetics aims to empower individuals by unlocking valuable insights hidden within their DNA.
Cri Genetics focuses on providing personalized genetic analysis to individuals interested in exploring their genetic makeup, health tendencies, and wellness potential.
Moreover, Cri Genetics provides specialized reports that include Ancestry + Traits for $79 and Health + Ancestry for $99.
Please note that pricing may vary, and it is advisable to refer to the official sources for the most up-to-date information.
Here are the key similarities between Cri Genetics and 23andMe services:
When comparing Cri Genetics vs. 23andMe, it becomes obvious that notable differences set the two companies apart.
23andMe boasts a vast DNA database of 5 million records, allowing for extensive data analysis.
Their ancestry reports cover a wider range of distinct regions and are often considered to have a higher accuracy level than CRI Genetics.
Additionally, 23andMe holds the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization for their health tests, while CRI Genetics does not.
On the other hand, CRI Genetics offers unique features that are not found in 23andMe’s offerings.
For example, they provide a “Famous People” section, revealing potential familial connections to notable individuals.
Their interactive map showcases ancestral origin areas, providing insights into your ancestors’ origins.
One distinctive advantage CRI Genetics offers is if customers do not receive their results within 8 weeks, CRI Genetics promises a full refund.
23andMe and CRI Genetics offer ancestry services but have different strengths and features.
23andMe
CRI Genetics
It’s important to thoroughly research and understand both companies’ offerings before deciding. It is advisable to seek advice from healthcare experts, carefully evaluate the restrictions, and analyze the genetic testing outcomes.
Both 23andMe and Cri Genetics provide information on health services. However, it’s important to note that these reports should never be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
23andMe has extensive experience and FDA clearance, indicating that their health reports may cover a wider range of conditions in a more precise manner. In contrast, Cri Genetics may be lacking in this area.
| 23andMe | CRI | |
| Sample collection type | Saliva | Cheek swab |
| DNA raw data available for download? | Yes | No |
| No. of markers analyzed | 570,000+ | 640,000+ |
| Geographical locations covered | 150 regions worldwide | N/A |
| Database size | 5 Million+ | N/A |
| Turn around time | 4 weeks maximum | In 8 weeks or a refund |
| No. of traits in health report | 30 | 33 |
| Price range of tests | $99-$219 | $79-$99 |
| Third-party raw data upload allowed? | No | No |
| Rating by users | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
The choice between Cri Genetics vs 23andMe ultimately depends on your needs and interests. If you’re primarily interested in connecting with genetic relatives and exploring your overall ancestry composition, 23andMe’s extensive customer database may be more beneficial.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a personalized genetic analysis, health reports, and wellness reports, Cri Genetics may be the better option.
Both companies have their strengths and have garnered positive reviews from customers. It’s essential to research and understand what each company offers thoroughly.
Remember that genetic testing can provide fascinating insights, but it’s essential to approach the results cautiously and consult a healthcare professional.
Whether you choose Cri Genetics or 23andMe, taking a DNA test can be an exciting journey of self-discovery.
Have you ever wondered why some people seem more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) than others? While lifestyle factors and hygiene play a significant role, an intriguing question often arises: Are UTIs genetic? In this article, we’ll dive into the genetics of UTIs and explore whether your genes could contribute to your susceptibility.
UTIs are common infections that infect the urinary tract.
These infections are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra (the tube that expels urine from the bladder outside) either from the skin or the rectum.
While UTIs can affect any part of the urinary tract, the most common type is a bladder infection called cystitis.
If unchecked, bladder infections can travel upwards to affect the kidney. But these are rare.
Recent estimates show that UTIs account for nearly 8 million patient visits to physicians annually in the United States.
Around 60% of women and 12% of men will have experienced at least one episode of UTI during their lifetime.
You may have UTI if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
If the UTI has spread to the kidneys, you may experience the following:
*Disclaimer: Please do not self-diagnose UTI only based on the above information. Visit a qualified medical practitioner for the best course of action.
Bacteria live in large numbers around the vagina and the rectum.
When these bacteria enter the urinary tract due to wrong personal hygiene practices, they tend to cause UTIs.
Just like some people are prone to colds and allergies, many are prone to UTIs.
A few factors known to cause and increase the risk of UTIs include:
Exploring the Relationship Between Menstrual Cycle and Sleep
According to research, 27% of women experience UTI recurrence within 6 months of the first infection, and 40% of kids who get a UTI develop another one within a year.
The recurrent nature of UTIs may indicate that this condition may have a genetic link with some females prone to them due to their family tree.
Several studies conducted to investigate this found that UTIs are more common in all female relatives of those with recurrent UTIs.
Further research found that some people born with specific cell receptors in their urinary tracts that allow bacteria to stick to them better develop UTIs more often.
A 2010 study on UTIs found that 6 out of 14 genes investigated may be associated with genetic susceptibility to recurrent UTIs in humans.
These studies show that being prone to UTIs may have to do with your genetic makeup and heredity.
The genes implicated control the immune system pathways in the body. Any variations in these genes have also been found to increase your UTI risk.
There is no clear inheritance pattern for UTIs. When there’s an affected family member, female relatives of that member tend to have a higher risk.
Though UTIs are not contagious, the bacteria causing this infection can travel from one person to another.
Research states that having a mother or sister with recurrent UTIs increases your risk of developing the condition more often.
This has to do with your genes.
Some females inherit cell receptors in the urinary tract from their biological mothers, which allows bacteria to stick better, causing recurrent UTIs.
Genetics does not directly cause UTIs. However, when combined with environmental and lifestyle factors, your genes can influence your risk for UTIs.
Several personal hygiene practices can increase your risk for UTIs. For example:
Sexual intercourse and other associated practices can increase the risk for UTIs.
Public hot tubs and jacuzzis are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause UTIs.
Working in an unclean environment has been found to cause an increased incidence of UTIs.
Whether you are prone to UTIs or just wish to stay clear of these pesky infections, here are a few ways to prevent them:
Keeping yourself hydrated and drinking adequate water helps flush out bacteria in the urinary tract every time you urinate.
Though UTIs are nagging infections, they are easy to manage.
Treatment and management of UTIs depend upon the severity of the infection, your symptoms, and the causative organism (that can be detected using a urinary culture).
Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment for UTIs.
Following healthy personal hygiene practices and staying hydrated can also help alleviate the symptoms and reduce the recurrence of UTIs.
Up To 96% Of Women With Breast Cancer Are Vitamin D Deficient
Just when you’re about to enjoy a beautiful sunny day outdoors, your nose starts to itch uncontrollably, your eyes become watery, and you enter a sneeze spiral. Allergies are more common than you think, with 26% of U.S. adults diagnosed with seasonal allergies in 2021. Besides this, many adults also have food allergies, pet allergies, drug allergies, etc. While there may not be a single thread connecting all these allergies, one common base for them would be genetics! Certain genes involved in immune responses underlie most allergic reactions. At-home DNA allergy tests harness the power of your genetic information to provide personalized insights into your allergic predispositions. This can pave the way for a clearer understanding of what triggers your immune system and allow you to take proactive steps toward managing your allergies more effectively.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of getting started with an at-home DNA allergy test, offering you a simple and accessible way to unlock the secrets hidden within your genes and reclaim control over your well-being.
Genetic ancestry tests are becoming increasingly popular. While your DNA can be used to learn about your roots, did you know that it can also reveal important things about your health risks and wellness aspects? This allows you to take proactive measures for health conditions, even before the symptoms appear, thereby preventing it. You can upload your DNA data to learn 1,500+ things about your health. Learn more.
New report update: The allergy report now includes a “Drug Sensitivities” section that provides insights into your risk for allergic responses to over 20 drugs.
We can group several allergic conditions when discussing allergies and genetics.
For example, asthma, atopic eczema, food allergies, and hay fever usually follow a similar pattern of genetic susceptibility (the likelihood of developing a condition).
It has also been observed that some families are more likely to be affected by allergic conditions than others.
So, children born into these families are usually more likely to develop an allergic condition.
This familial tendency to develop allergic conditions shows that these conditions have a strong genetic link (atopy).
It is essential to understand that children in atopic families will not always develop the same allergic condition as their parents.
A food allergy is a reaction to food that is mediated by immunoglobulin E.
This condition affects 5% to 8% of children and 1% to 5% of adults.
There is ample research and compelling evidence that food allergies can develop due to strong family history.
In fact, a child has a 7-fold increase in the risk of developing peanut allergy if they have a parent or sibling with the condition.
A few genes that have been proven to cause food allergies include:
Conditions like allergic rhinitis affect 10 to 25% of the global population.
Studies show that this condition develops due to an interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Allergic rhinitis occurs on exposure to seasonal or perennial (year-long) allergens that are commonly present in our homes and outdoors.
Common environmental and seasonal allergies include pollen, grass, weeds, etc.
In general, at-home allergy tests are done using a blood sample to detect the presence of certain antibodies associated with allergies.
At-home DNA allergy tests are a little different – they may not be able to diagnose an allergy but can help you understand whether your genes predispose you to any.
For example, the HLA gene family plays a major role in immune regulation and has been significantly associated with multiple allergic reactions.
Interleukins are another class of proteins that regulate immune responses. The IL10 gene family has been associated with food allergies.
Another important one implicated in food allergies is the filaggrin (FLG) gene.
Filaggrin is crucial for the skin barrier, and changes in the FLG gene have an association with severe eczema and peanut allergy.
A snippet from Xcode Life’s DNA Allergy Test Report
However, there are a few concerns regarding At-home DNA allergy tests, including:
A DNA allergy test can determine if you have a genetic predisposition to developing allergies.
The test is helpful as it determines your likelihood of developing an allergic condition before any signs and symptoms develop.
Besides providing information about your tendency to develop allergies, a DNA allergy test also tells you about the likelihood of developing asthma, atopic dermatitis, and autoimmune diseases.
However, at-home DNA tests cannot confirm or diagnose an allergy.
In clinical settings, only procedures like a blood test or a skin prick test can help diagnose an allergy.
Since DNA allergy tests help reveal heightened risks for certain allergic reactions, knowing this information beforehand can help avoid those particular allergens.
Even though these tests don’t diagnose allergies, it helps you understand allergens you are sensitive to so you can avoid them.
However, it is also important to note that a “high-risk” result does mean you will develop an allergy.
When discussing the limitations of at-home DNA allergy tests, it’s important to consider the current understanding based on scientific evidence.
While these tests can provide valuable insights into an individual’s genetic predispositions to allergies, there are certain limitations to keep in mind.
DNA testing for food sensitivities tells you whether you carry any gene changes that may either result in abnormal immune responses to food or insufficient enzymes to digest the food.
This information can then be presented to your doctor, who can correlate the results with your symptoms and other relevant information.
They can then advise a suitable test to confirm food sensitivity.
While a DNA test by itself cannot predict food sensitivity accurately, it can be used in junction with other tests to identify sensitivities and allergies.
Everything You Need To Know About Xcode Life’s Allergy and Drug Sensitivity Report
If you’re new to the world of genetic testing, we’ve got you covered!
You can now get your ancestry DNA kits at an additional discount!
By following the links below, you can purchase a DNA kit at 10% OFF (the discount will be reflected when you add the product).
This will ensure that you have everything you need to embark on your genetic journey.
Once you receive your kits, you can follow the instructions given by the respective service providers to collect your sample and ship it.
After receiving your DNA test results from the kit, follow the instructions to upload your DNA data to our secure platform.
Have you ever wondered what makes each of us unique? The answer lies deep within our DNA, the blueprint of life. Genetic variation is the driving force behind our individuality, shaping everything from our appearance to our health. Today, we delve into the fascinating world of genetics to uncover the ultimate source of genetic variations.
Xcode Life analyzes your DNA, focusing specifically on the genetic variations that make you the unique self you are. Watch this video to understand what you can get from Xcode Life’s reports.
Genetic variations are permanent changes in the DNA sequence that make up a gene.
These variations are the differences in DNA sequences among different people in the population.
They can occur in the germ cells, the egg and sperm, or the somatic cells (all other cells).
Genetic variations can be passed on from generation to generation only if they occur in the germ cells.
While it was initially believed that all genetic variations cause a disease, it is not so.
They can:
Mutations (abnormal changes) and recombination are two major sources of genetic variations.
Mutations
Mutations are said to be the original source of genetic variation.
These are permanent alterations of a DNA sequence.
When there is an error during the DNA replication process that is not corrected by the DNA repair enzymes, they are termed a De novo or a new mutation.
Mutations can be beneficial to the organism or individual, harmful, or even neutral (when they do not affect the health or fitness of the individual).
When mutations occur in the somatic cells, they are called somatic mutations.
These mutations are mostly harmless and bring about local tissue changes like mole development.
Recombination
Besides mutations, the next major source of genetic variation is recombination.
Every individual contains genetic material from both parents. Mixing of genetic material occurs during the recombination process, which shuffles the maternal and paternal DNAs.
This results in the recombination or creation of a new combination of variations in the cells of the individual. A genetic variation arises from this recombination.
Other causes of genetic variation are:
Mosaicism is a type of genetic variation that occurs when an organism is developing but is not present in the parental cells.
As the organism grows from the embryonic stage to adulthood, some cells that arise in the process may have an altered gene while others don’t.
When a proportion of somatic cells have a genetic variant, it gives rise to somatic mosaicism. When this happens with the germ cells, it is called germline mosaicism.
For an individual to function normally and healthily, every cell in their body must perform its functions properly. The thousands of proteins in the body must be in the right place doing their jobs.
A genetic variation, such as a mutation, may prevent the proteins from doing their job properly.
Genetic variations lead to altered instructions, which may lead to a defective protein or no protein production. If this protein is essential to the body, it may disrupt normal functioning, causing a health condition.
When genetic variations cause a health condition, they are called genetic disorders.
It is essential to understand that genetic variations do not directly cause disease. Instead, the variations alter the gene’s function, which causes a disease.
Let’s take, for example, cystic fibrosis- a well-studied genetic condition.
Every individual has a version of the CFTR gene.
When an individual develops cystic fibrosis, they have a genetic variation in their CFTR gene that causes the disease.
Is Gene Therapy A Potential Cure for Cystic Fibrosis?
Not all genetic variations are harmful or cause genetic disorders.
In fact, a tiny percentage of genetic variations give rise to genetic disorders.
Genetic variations that can cause disorders are often repaired by enzymes even before the gene is expressed, and the altered protein is produced.
Some genetic variations are actually positive in nature.
These favorable genetic variations lead to the formation of proteins that help an individual adapt to their surroundings better.
Even though not all variations are directly disease-causing, many of them alter the risk of developing health conditions like heart disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, etc.
When subjected to triggers like a bad diet or a sedentary lifestyle, those with the “high-risk variant” will be more likely to develop the disease than those with the “normal variant.”
Therefore, understanding your genetic makeup can be crucial in preventing, managing, and even treating chronic health conditions.
Athletes must optimize every part of their bodies to achieve peak performance. When it comes to vision, even the slightest improvement in an athlete’s visual range, processing speed, and clarity can help get them a competitive advantage in their sport. A recent study reports that including dietary carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin supplements can help enhance the macular pigments in the eyes, protect against atmospheric haze, and improve visual range. In this article, we discuss the published study in detail and also delve into the best food sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Before we dive deep into the study, here is our top vision health article
Ocular health is important to maintaining one’s quality of life and staying healthy and independent.
Across the world, about 250 million people have different degrees of vision problems.
Age, lifestyle changes, imbalanced diet, metabolic disorders, and eye trauma are all reasons that can cause vision loss.
For athletes, good vision is extremely vital.
Athletes need perfect vision beyond the recommended 20/20 eyesight.
Factors like depth perception, focal flexibility, visual reaction time, and dynamic visual acuity (the ability to distinguish shapes and features from a distance) are essential for athletes to excel at their sport.
Sports optometrists are specialized experts who design strategies to help athletes care for their ocular health and improve vision.
One of the main areas of focus for sports optometrists is the right nutrition.
Various macro and micronutrients play a role in protecting the eyes and preventing the signs of age-related and environmental damage to the eyes.
Plant-based carotenoids, especially, play a vital role in protecting eye health.
Carotenoids are pigments that give plant and animal food sources their color.
Two main carotenoids of interest in vision health in athletes are lutein and zeaxanthin.
Lutein is a type of carotenoid found in plant and animal food sources.
Lutein may help prevent oxidative damage, reduce glare impairment, and enhance vision sharpness.
Lutein is majorly found in green leafy vegetables like kale, collards, and spinach and yellow-colored flowers and vegetables.
Zeaxanthin is also a type of carotenoid that supports eye health.
This carotenoid acts as a filter, blocking harmful UV rays from damaging the eyes.
Oranges, grapes, mangoes, orange peppers, goji berries, and corn are some zeaxanthin sources.
A 2023 study published in the Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews journal analyzed the importance of nutrition in improving the vision of athletes.
This study focused on lutein and zeaxanthin components and their help in building up the macular pigments in the eye.
Macular pigments are like internal sunglasses for the eyes.
These are located in the central retina and comprise three dietary carotenoids – lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.
These pigments filter out blue light and decrease the effects of light scatter, both of which can lead to vision damage and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) is a measure of the density of the macular pigment.
Higher levels of MPOD would help protect and improve vision.
This study focused on two significant ocular challenges that athletes face – low visual range and atmospheric haze.
Visual range is the maximum distance the viewer can see unobstructed and clear images with unaided eyes.
Atmospheric haze is environmental obstructions like dust, haze, smoke, or dirt that can disrupt vision and create a bluish or brownish tint to the view.
This study reports that improving dietary carotenoid intake can help increase MPOD.
High MPOD can enhance the visual range and protect against atmospheric haze.
Multiple older studies support this observation.
A 2012 study analyzed the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on the visual performance of athletes.
The study reports that these carotenoids may help athletes in the following ways.
Another study conducted in 2013 reported that lutein and zeaxanthin affected the visual and motor regions in the Central Nervous System and improved visual motor responses.
In 2014, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study analyzed the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on neural processing speed. The study reported that these carotenoids helped increase visual processing speed in individuals across different age groups.
According to this study, even the slightest improvement in visual ability can be advantageous to athletic performance.
Athletes often focus on protein-rich foods to match their activity levels.
Along with that, a diet plan rich in carotenoids will help improve brain and retinal levels of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Lutein and zeaxanthin can help improve cognitive and visual performance in athletes.
These carotenoids can also protect athletes from eye problems like actinic eye and AMD.
Lutein can be converted into meso-zeaxanthin in the body.
That’s why scientific sources mention foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin as a single category.
The following are some of the best food sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
| Food sources | µg/g fresh weight |
| Basil | 70.5 |
| Parsley | 64.0–106.5 |
| Spinach | 59.3–79.0 |
| Leek | 36.8 |
| Peas | 19.1 |
| Broccoli | 7.1–33.0 |
| Carrot | 2.5-5.1 |
Table source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705341/table/nutrients-05-01169-t001/?report=objectonly
While most grains have negligible sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, durum wheat and einkorn are two sources of grain rich in carotenoids.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10259207/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24148268/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23053558/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4176961/
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/diet-and-nutrition?sso=y
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6771137/
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/diet-nutrition
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725486/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705341/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230608120930.htm
Imagine a life where you feel like you’re in a constant battle against sleep. If you find yourself plagued by uncontrollable sleep attacks and a constant feeling of tiredness, you might be aware of the condition called “narcolepsy.” This article aims to explore the science behind this condition and answer the question, “Is narcolepsy genetic?” Further, it also touches upon how you can evaluate your genetic risk for narcolepsy and how to manage excessive sleepiness.
Many sleep parameters like sleep duration, sleep quality, and chronotype and sleep disorders like snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, and narcolepsy have a genetic component to them. Here’s how you can learn your genetic risk.
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that can cause excessive daytime sleeping and sudden sleep attacks.
People with narcolepsy have intense urges to fall asleep at random times, like eating or driving.
According to Narcolepsy Network, one in every 2000 Americans is diagnosed with narcolepsy.
Across the world, about three million individuals are affected by the condition.
However, according to experts, only 25% of patients with this condition get diagnosed and treated.
So the total population living with the condition could be much higher.
There are three types of narcolepsy identified.
Type 1 Narcolepsy
Type 1 narcolepsy is also called narcolepsy with cataplexy.
Cataplexy is a condition that causes loss of control of muscles or muscle weakness due to a strong emotion like surprise or anger.
These individuals have low levels of the brain hormone termed hypocretin and experience sleep paralysis and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Type 2 Narcolepsy
Type 2 narcolepsy is narcolepsy without cataplexy.
These individuals don’t experience cataplexy and sleep paralysis and have normal hypocretin levels.
While they still experience sleep paralysis, the symptoms are less severe.
Secondary Narcolepsy
Secondary narcolepsy results from an injury to the hypothalamus region in the brain.
The hypothalamus region of the brain helps regulate sleep.
The symptoms of secondary narcolepsy could be very similar to type 1 or type 2 narcolepsy.
Here are five common signs of narcolepsy.
The following are some of the common risk factors for developing narcolepsy.
While narcolepsy can be diagnosed at any age, the symptoms commonly start in adolescence, between the ages of 7 and 25.
A family history of narcolepsy increases the risk of developing the condition by 20-40%.
In the case of type 1 narcolepsy, certain autoimmune disorders may be a risk factor.
Some autoimmune disorders may affect the brain cells and decrease the production of the hormone hypocretin, leading to sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
People with brain injuries have a higher risk of developing secondary narcolepsy.
A combination of genetic changes and environmental triggers leads to narcolepsy.
The risk factors mentioned above can increase a person’s probability of developing the condition.
Genetic mutation is undoubtedly a factor that can cause narcolepsy.
Gene mutations, along with specific environmental triggers like infections, can lead to the development of this condition.
TNFSF4 gene (TNF Superfamily Member 4 gene)
The TNFSF4 gene contains instructions to produce a protein that plays a role in the immune function.
Certain changes in this gene can result in increased levels of the immune system protein.
When this happens, the excess immune cells can attack the brain cells that produce hypocretin, an important regulator of sleep-wake cycles.
This can result in an increased risk of narcolepsy.
CCR1/CCR3 gene (C-C motif) receptor 1/C-C motif) receptor 3 gene)
The CCR1/CCR3 gene is responsible for the production of chemokines that play a role in the inflammatory response in the body.
Chemokines are signaling proteins that stimulate the movement of white blood cells and immune responses.
Changes to the inflammatory responses can increase narcolepsy risk.
CPT1B gene ( Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1B gene)
CPT1B is a gene that plays a role in beta-oxidation in the body. This is a 4-step process that helps break down fatty acids.
Research suggests that fatty acid oxidation is increased during sleep, and mutations in fatty acid metabolism alter REM sleep.
This way, certain changes in the CPT1B gene can influence the risk for narcolepsy.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 10% of people with type 1 narcolepsy may have close relatives with similar symptoms.
About 1-2% of the population inherit the condition from their ancestors.
Can I pass narcolepsy to my child?
According to experts, in rare cases, narcolepsy may be inherited across generations.
However, most cases occur randomly and are not passed on.
Is narcolepsy something you’re born with?
Some individuals may be born with certain gene mutations that affect hypocretin production in the brain, causing narcolepsy.
In most cases, damage to these hypocretin-producing brain cells may occur randomly due to environmental triggers, leading to the condition.
Genetic testing may identify a person’s risk for type 1 narcolepsy.
A blood test can help find out whether you have genetic markers associated with narcolepsy.
A positive result supports a diagnosis but does not make it 100% certain
Many people without narcolepsy also have these genetic markers.
Certain direct-to-consumer genetic companies also help analyze your already existing DNA data to check several markers linked to narcolepsy risk.
Here’s how you can still get your narcolepsy report
Narcolepsy cannot be cured and can only be managed with the right treatments.
The following drugs are common options for narcolepsy management.
Stimulant Drugs – stimulant drugs stimulate the nervous system and help prevent excessive daytime sleepiness. Common stimulants include sodium oxibate, pitolisant, and modafinil.
SNRIs And SSRIs – Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are medicines used to suppress the sleep REM cycle and handle the symptoms of narcolepsy.
TCAs – Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) can help handle cataplexy but come with possible side effects. So discuss with your doctor before choosing TCAs.
Creating good sleeping habits like the following may help handle the condition well.
The main problem people with narcolepsy have is excessive sleepiness in the daytime.
A trick to managing this is taking scheduled naps of 20-30 minutes throughout the day to stay awake during the other times.
A 2018 study reports that physical activity improves night-sleep duration, reduces the frequency of day naps, and enhances the quality of sleep in narcolepsy type 1 patients.
