Lack of sleep leads to groggy genes: Study

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Lack of sleep has a potentially harmful effect on gene expression, according to a study out on Tuesday that sheds light on the link between sleep deficits and a wide range of health conditions.

A sleep deficit - even just a week's worth - can have damaging effects on our genes, researchers said in a new study out on Tuesday.

Lack of adequate shut-eye had already been linked to conditions from heart disease and cognitive impairment to obesity.

But sleep researcher Derk-Jan Dijk and his fellow researchers have delved into the molecular mechanisms behind the phenomenon, looking at how missed sleep leads to health problems.