Genes link anxiety, depression, insomnia: study

(HealthDay News) UPDATED 2009-06-08

University of Pennsylvania researchers have a genetic link between anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Scientists looked at data on 749 identical twins and 687 fraternal twins, aged 8 to 17. Parents of 19.5 percent of these twin sets reported that the children suffered from insomnia. The scientists found that though identical twins did not have higher rates of insomnia, if one identical twin had the sleep disorder, the other twin was more likely to have it than if they were fraternal twins. Researchers say the shared genetic effects of insomnia, depression, and anxiety suggest that these disorders are linked, and they say teens who suffer from one of the mental health conditions should also be screened for insomnia. Read full story >

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