Epigenetics and aging: relevance for sleep medicine

Abstract

Purpose of review Sleep disorders encompass a wide range of conditions with substantial individual variability. Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes beyond DNA sequence, offers a promising avenue for personalized medicine in this field. Recent findings There is great potential of epigenetic markers for sleep disorder diagnosis and the development of epigenetic drugs for targeted treatment. Epigenetic age acceleration, a marker of biological aging, is linked to sleep disorders and comorbidities. Very importantly, this acceleration may be reversible with effective treatment. Summary While the underlying mechanisms and assessment of clinical utility require further investigation, the potential of epigenetics in sleep medicine is recognized. Future research focused on closing knowledge gaps and clinical validation is crucial to translate these findings into practical applications, paving the way for more effective and personalized management of sleep disorders.