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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Could the way you sleep be linked to how much you weigh?
Scientists from Merck Research Laboratories say they believe the answer may be yes. In a study conducted in mice, they found a drug aimed at influencing a bodily function associated with both sleep and weight effectively kept mice from gaining too much weight even when they were fed a high-fat diet.
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The research builds on previous studies linking T-type calcium channels to sleep and weight gain. When the investigators gave normal weight mice a drug that antagonized T-type calcium channels, they slept better and were protected from weight gain despite being fed a high-fat diet. Obese mice who received the drug actually lost weight and fat.
The scientists believe the drug works by aligning feeding patterns with the circadian rhythm, which is key to sleep. Targeting T-type calcium channels could eventually lead to drugs capable of treating obesity in people.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation, published online May 18, 2009
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