Attenuated PER3 Amplitude in Hair Follicles Is Associated With Sleep Irregularity in Schizophrenia

    July 2026 in “ Translational Psychiatry ”
    Mikkel Iwanoff Kolind, Rikke Kruse, Jan C. Brønd, Afsaneh M. Nejad, Lasse K. Bak, Charlotte S. Larsen, Kurt Højlund, Christoph P. Beier, Elsebeth Stenager, Claus B. Juhl
    TLDR Reduced PER3 gene activity in hair follicles is linked to irregular sleep in schizophrenia.
    The study investigated circadian rhythm disruptions in 66 adults, divided into three groups: those with schizophrenia and obesity (SCH-OB), those with obesity but no psychiatric disorder (OB), and normal-weight controls (LEAN). Using hair follicle samples, researchers found that the amplitude of the PER3 gene was significantly reduced in the SCH-OB group compared to the other groups, correlating with irregular sleep patterns. While cortisol rhythms were consistent across all groups, melatonin amplitude was lower in the SCH-OB group. The study highlights the potential of hair follicle sampling as a practical method for assessing molecular circadian rhythms in real-world settings.
    Discuss this study in the Community →