Gene Deletion and Sleep Depletion: Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep and Affect in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Abstract

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a microdeletion on the long arm of chromosome 22. Sleep problems have been reported in this population, and psychiatric disorders and affect dysregulation are common to the behavioral phenotype of 22q11DS. Sleep and affect have been consistently linked across multiple studies, yet despite this very little research has investigated sleep problems in 22q11DS, or the link between sleep and affect in this population. The Experience Sampling Method was used to track daily reports of sleep quality and affect in a total of 29 individuals with 22q11DS and 21 control subjects. Measurements were recorded during a 6-day period using an electronic device that prompted daily response with audio cues. Participants with 22q11DS were found to experience a longer sleep onset latency and a greater amount, and duration, of night wakings compared with control subjects. Despite this, no significant between-group difference was found for subjective sleep quality. 22q11DS participants reported more experiences of negative affect and less positive affect than control subjects. A bidirectional relationship was found between sleep measures and affect. Sleep problems can cause a wide range of negative health effects, and individuals with 22q11DS are particularly vulnerable to deficits of sleep. To ensure high standards of care, healthcare providers should be aware of the possibility and impact of sleep problems in this population.