Gut microbiome plays an unexpected role in sleep regulation

A new study from the University of Missouri Columbia has found evidence that the gut microbiome has a powerful influence on sleep. When the researchers transplanted gut bacteria from mice with sleep apnea to healthy mice, the recipients exhibited increased sleepiness throughout waking hours. Previous studies have shown that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may alter gut bacteria in a way that promotes comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cognitive problems. "Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic prevalent condition characterized by intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation," wrote …