Did you know that some people with autism take, on average, 11 minutes longer to fall asleep than a neurotypical person?
Sleep is essential to life, and it's no different for those affected by autism. Unfortunately, many individuals with autism can have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.
Understanding the connection between autism and sleep can help inform interventions that support better sleeping habits in those affected.
No Ancestry Test Data? No Problem
One of the largest studies investigating the prevalence of sleep problems in autism reported that >80% of preschoolers with autism had disrupted sleep.
While some people with autism have trouble falling asleep, others wake up throughout the night. Some even report rising earlier than anyone else in their family.
Many people with autism have lesser REM (rapid eye movement) sleep than others. The REM stage of sleep is crucial for
Sleep disturbances in harmful to all people. For those with autism, it can amplify hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors.
Several traits associated with autism are known to cause sleep problems.
Some of them are
Another prevalent problem in people with autism is gastrointestinal troubles like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
This can result in sleep disturbances.
The sleep-wake cycle is controlled by a biological phenomenon called the circadian rhythm.
When the genes regulating circadian rhythm function well, appropriate amounts of the sleep hormone, or melatonin, are released at the correct timings to manage the sleep-wake cycle.
However, research shows that in people with autism, there may be higher incidences of mutations (or changes) in the circadian rhythm genes, resulting in abnormal melatonin production.
This can result in feelings of wakefulness during the times they are supposed to sleep and also make it difficult to wake up when they should be.
Researchers are still trying to figure out if autism is driving the sleep issues or if the sleep issues are worsening autism symptoms.
Sleep research in autism has only recently picked up momentum, and scientists are already seeing sleep issues as a hallmark of the condition!
Image: The What and Why of Autism and Sleep
While sleep research in autism is slowly making its progress, there are a few things people with autism (as well as neurotypical people) can do to improve their sleep.
Exercising during the day lowers the time it takes to fall asleep. It also helps reduce sleep disturbances at night.
Avoiding screen exposure and limiting high-energy activities a couple of hours before bedtime can help signal to your brain that itโs time to wind down, and all activities associated with wakefulness can be brought to rest.
A relaxing activity like a bath, listening to music, reading books before sleeping, and following a consistent bedtime can help improve sleep quality.
Melatonin supplements or slow-release melatonin drugs can help reset sleep cycles and improve sleep quality.
However, melatonin supplements are to be taken only upon the recommendation of a qualified medical practitioner.
Resolving some of the sleep issues faced by people with autism can help improve their overall quality of life.
Autism is a complex disorder that can lead to various sleep challenges for those affected. Research suggests that these sleep challenges are often linked to the individual's unique sensory sensitivities, anxiety levels, and developmental and behavioral issues.
Disruptions in the body's natural circadian rhythm due to certain gene changes that disrupt melatonin levels also contribute to the sleep issues faced by people with autism.
It is important for those with autism to receive adequate support from their healthcare team to ensure healthy and restful sleep. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as creating a consistent bedtime routine, avoiding large meals late at night, and exercising regularly can help improve the overall quality of sleep.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the DNA in your mitochondria and helps trace your matrilineal ancestry as it is inherited maternally.
This means you have the same mtDNA as your mother, grandmother, and siblings.
So, unlike autosomal DNA (found in non-sex chromosomes), mtDNA can trace your maternal relatives four or five generations back.
mtDNA is circular in shape and comprises 16,500 molecules called nucleotides.
These nucleotides are responsible for producing energy in each cell.
People assigned male at birth (MAB) inherit mtDNA from their mother but do not pass it on to their children.
People assigned females at birth (FAB) can pass on their mtDNA to their offspring.
Since mtDNA is passed down from a mother to her children unchanged, it presents several advantages for forensic researchers.
Chromosomal DNA is present in the nucleus of each cell.
While half an individualโs DNA comes from the father, the other half comes from the mother.
With mitochondrial DNA, however, this is not the case.
The genetic material present in the mitochondria is entirely inherited from the mother.
For this reason, mitochondrial DNA is also called maternal DNA.
An mtDNA test traces an individualโs motherโs line of ancestry. They may be related if there is a perfect mtDNA match between two individuals.
When you opt for an mtDNA test, one of the three following parts of the DNA is analyzed:
*HVR or Hyper Variable Region
If the test is analyzing HVR1, it evaluates a small set of nucleotides at the end of the DNA strand.
When the test analyzes HVR2, it evaluates base pairs present at the beginning of the DNA strand.
The coding region is the part between HVR1 and HVR2.
Most mtDNA tests analyze either HVR1, HVR2, or both regions.
Since everyone inherits the mtDNA from their mother, this DNA testing can be taken by men and women.
mtDNA can help researchers determine the following:
Since mtDNA remains largely unchanged for several matrilineal generations, the mtDNA test can provide information about an individualโs female ancestors.
The test can also give greater detail about the ethnicity or country of origin of an individualโs female ancestors.
An mtDNA test can help you identify your risk for several diseases encoded in your mtDNA. Some of these diseases include:
An mtDNA test can help you discover long-lost family or relatives.
The cost of a mitochondrial DNA test begins at an average of USD 350 and upwards.
Cosmeceuticals are cosmetics that have additional drug-like or medicinal benefits to the body.
The latest entrant in this category is the antimicrobial lipstick that everyone is talking about.
Organic beauty products are those made using active, natural ingredients. These ingredients are supposed to make beneficial changes to the personโs body upon regular usage.
Based on this idea, a group of researchers has developed an interesting product - a lipstick that can protect against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
In December 2022, a group of researchers published a study in the ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces journal, introducing a new product called antimicrobial lipstick.
This lipstick can inactivate diverse microorganisms that could spread via the lips.
It is very common to see friends and family share lipsticks or chapsticks.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, experts are constantly searching for ways to prevent the further spread of SARS-CoV-2.
When you share lipstick, apart from this virus, you risk getting infected by multiple bacterial and fungal infections.
According to researchers who created this lipstick, the ingredients in this may help inactivate microorganisms that get passed on when you share lipsticks.
The main ingredient of interest in this lipstick is cranberry extract.
Cranberries are a rich source of polyphenols. These are plant-based compounds that are rich in antioxidants.
Cranberry extracts are commonly used to treat urinary tract infections and have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
They also have antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making them a very healthy fruit to snack on.
Cranberries contain the following phytochemicals.
This antimicrobial lipstick contains cranberry extract, shea butter, vitamin E, provitamin B5, babassu oil, and avocado oil.
Thanks to the cranberry extracts, the formulation has a natural red color.
According to researchers, this bio-based lipstick can inactivate many microorganisms, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
When tested, it also inactivated other types of microorganisms, including:
Image source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.2c19460
The above image shows tests performed with the bio-lipstick on different microorganisms and the results after one hour of contact.
Within five hours, the lipstick inactivated most of the microorganisms it interacted with.
Antimicrobial lipsticks definitely have protective benefits that regular lipsticks donโt.
Antimicrobial lipsticks can be an effective cosmeceutical solution with no compromise on qualities such as stain, texture, and application longevity.
We will need to wait and see how the cosmetic industry adapts to the idea.
Healthy aging is a process of optimizing opportunities to maintain and improve physical and mental health and quality of life throughout an individualโs life.
The WHO defines healthy aging as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.
Functional ability is described as having capabilities that enable people to perform activities that they wish to perform, which may include:
Environment influences our behavior, access to a healthcare facility, and social care as people age.
Every individual has the right to healthy and long life, including healthy aging.
It is important to understand that healthy aging is not just being disease-free but having an overall healthy well-being.
Several factors affect how we age, including
Human genes are programmed for aging.
A protein called rapamycin regulates aging and growth.
A few theories suggest that an individualโs aging and longevity are determined by their parents' and grandparentsโ.
We are what we eat, and our diet and metabolism play an important role in how we age.
Metabolism produces chemicals or oxidizing agents that may increase aging due to cellular damage.
Several studies have shown how pollutants and other factors like temperature rise and UV exposure contribute to lung diseases and dementia.
There is ample evidence that suggests certain air pollutants accelerate age-related illnesses.
Aging gives rise to several health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac conditions.
Type 2 diabetes accelerates brain aging and cognitive decline, while hypertension increases the risk for age-related vascular conditions.
Smoking and alcohol consumption is injurious to health.
Though they impact the body differently, smoking and alcohol consumption influence skin and volume-related facial aging.
Smoking also increases the risk of various types of cancer, while liver damage may cause liver cancer.
By studying factors associated with successful aging, individuals can work with families, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to create a world and environment that supports healthy aging.
Researchers from the University of Toronto attempted to find the keys to โsuccessfulโ or optimal aging by studying over 7000 participants.
The study followed over 7000 middle-aged and older Canadian women from financially stable backgrounds.
The participants were non-obese, did not suffer from insomnia, and were more likely to maintain good health and less likely to develop cognitive, physical, and emotional issues as they grew older.
This study evaluated various factors like obesity, income, and lifestyle factors like smoking, physical activity, and sleep.
Here are a few findings from this study:
This study was restricted to participants who were 60 years or older and in optimal health during the baseline wave of data collection.
More studies are required in different groups of older adults.
There is no sure-shot secret to healthy aging.
However, here are a few things you can do to ensure you age healthily:
Are some people prone to stretch marks while others avoid them altogether? The answer lies in your genes!
Stretch marks, also called striae distensae, are a type of line-like scar that develops on the skin. When the skin expands or shrinks, it puts extra pressure on two proteins that support the skin, namely collagen and elastin. This ultimately results in their breakage, leading to scars.
Due to certain genes, some people are more prone to developing stretch marks than others. Some of these genes may be involved in repairing damage to the skin when it expands (like in the case of weight gain).
In people with certain changes in these genes, the repair may not occur well; hence, collagen/elastin damage can cause stretch marks.
For example, the ELN gene produces elastin, a protein responsible for skin elasticity. Elastin helps the tissues in the skin to resume their original shape after stretching or contraction. Certain changes in the ELN gene are associated with a lowered elastin expression, which is shown to increase the risk of stretch marks.
People who have been under stress for a long time may develop stretch marks even without weight gain or pregnancy. This is due to the simple fact that chronic stress leads to increased levels of cortisol (also called the stress hormone). When the level of cortisol rises, less collagen and elastin are produced. This lowers skin elasticity. This is why stretch marks are a hallmark sign of Cushing syndrome, a condition characterized by elevated cortisol levels.
Curious about your stretch mark genes? Hereโs how you can learn about it in 3 simple steps:
Do you find yourself craving sugar and sweet foods all the time? If you cannot manage to end your meal without dessert at the end, itโs time to take it up with your genes!
Whenever food touches our tongues, the taste buds send signals to the taste center of the brain that helps detect the taste. Whether or not your like or prefer the taste is controlled by another area in the brain.
Each taste bud has a protein on the tip called the taste receptor. Five different kinds of taste receptors get activated upon encountering any one of the 5 basic tastes: sweet, sour, salt, bitter, and savory.
Upon activation, the taste receptors get activated, and the nerves in the tongue pick up this signal which travels through the back of your mouth and up a tiny hole in your skull into your brain.
Image: Distribution of taste receptors
The number and expression of sweet taste receptors on your tongue are regulated by certain genes, including TAS1R2 and TAS1R3.
People with certain changes in these genes may have lower expression of the sweet taste receptors and may consume more sweets to enjoy the full benefits of sweet taste.
On the other hand, if you have a higher expression of the sweet taste receptors, you are likely to be more sensitive to the sweet taste and hence consume less sweet foods.
What makes us crave sugar? As soon as the brain receives signals from the sweet receptors, the reward system is activated, which is communicated through the release of dopamine, popularly known as the โhappy hormone.โ This feeling of pleasure we experience is what makes us go after sugary foods.
Curious about your sweet tooth genes? Hereโs how you can learn about it in 3 simple steps:
