Neanderthal DNA unveils genetic secrets behind early riser traits

The inclination to be an early riser might be attributed to Neanderthal DNA, according to scientists, shedding light on the genetic basis of the morning person phenomenon.

Research suggests that DNA inherited from Neanderthals, with whom early Homo sapiens interbred, could contribute to the tendency of certain individuals to prefer waking up and going to bed earlier.

Epidemiologist John Capra from the University of California in San Francisco explains that despite most genes acquired through ancient interbreeding being eliminated by evolution, a small fraction remains.

The study focused on the analysis of Neanderthal DNA fragments present in modern human genomes, revealing a significant impact on genes related to circadian rhythms and the proclivity to be a morning person.

As Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to Eurasia approximately 70,000 years ago, they interacted with Neanderthals, resulting in up to 4% of Neanderthal DNA in contemporary humans.

Capra and his team compared genetic variants in body clocks between Neanderthals and modern humans, finding that certain variants were consistently linked to waking up early when analyzed in a dataset from the UK Biobank.

While Neanderthal genes play a role in circadian rhythms, hundreds of other genes, along with environmental and cultural factors, collectively influence sleep-wake patterns.

Capra suggests that having Neanderthal genes may indicate a faster-running internal clock better suited for adapting to seasonal light variations, especially at higher latitudes.

The study adds genetic evidence supporting the notion that the preference for being a morning person may be rooted in our ancient ancestry.