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Signs you might have 'short sleeper syndrome' revealed by neuroscientistSome of us don't need a full eight hours of sleep to function properly the next day – and that could be thanks to a

rare genetic mutationNewsBethan Finighan16:43, 29 May 2025Do you thrive on just three hours sleep? You might 'short sleeper syndrome'(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Sleep is a vital human

function. It helps to restore and repair our bodies and helps our brain to clear out and process the events of the day.

While it's generally considered that we should aim for around eight hours of sleep a night, the NHS says there is no correct amount of sleep; our bodies just take what they need.

‌ For some of us, just three hours of slumber is sufficient to thrive the following day.

‌ You might assume they live their lives fuelled with caffeine, but they might be one of the lucky few with 'short sleeper syndrome'.

What are the signs of 'short sleeper syndrome'? During sleep, hormones are released that support different bodily functions, such as growth, strength, boosting our immune system, and helping

to maintain a healthy body weight.

Sleep also improves memory and learning, as our brains process all the information we've received throughout the day.

Article continues below Evidence suggests that people with 'short sleeper syndrome' can function with less than six hours of sleep per night, completing all of these vital bodily functions

at a faster rate during sleep.

Sleep is a vital human function(Image: Getty Images) "Our bodies continue to work when we go to bed, detoxifying themselves and repairing damage," co-author of the study, Ying-Hui Fu, a

neuroscientist at the University of California in San Francisco, told Nature.

‌ "These people, all these functions our bodies are doing while we are sleeping, they can just perform at a higher level than we can."

Prof Fu revealed the signs of someone with 'short sleeper syndrome' to the Manchester Evening News, which include:

Being very energetic with less than 6 hours of sleep each nightBeing an optimistic multi-taskerNot needing coffee or tea to help them during the dayStaying very active and sharp‌What causes

'short sleeper syndrome'? Scientists have pinpointed a new genetic variant linked to this intriguing syndrome, and it could help experts to develop treatments for sleep disorders such as

insomnia and sleep apnoea.

There's even evidence to suggest that the genetic changes behind the syndrome may offer some protection against the effects typically seen from poor sleep.

"We have used Alzheimer’s as an example to show that these mutations seem to protect them from common aging diseases. They usually enjoy long healthy lives," Prof Fu told the M.E.N.

‌Scientists hope their findings can lead to treatment for sleep disorders(Image: Getty Images) Prof Fu and a research team previously analysed the genes of short sleepers and identified five

mutations in four genes that can contribute to the condition, including one that affects our internal body block, known as our circadian rhythm.

In a recent study, the team searched for new DNA mutations in a healthy, naturally short sleeper who slept an average of 6.3 hours per night, and found a mutation in SIK3, a gene responsible

for a protein that plays a role in energy control, sleep and stress.

‌ The scientists also genetically engineered mice to have the same mutation and found that they slept for around 31 minutes less than those without the mutation.

"These findings advance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of sleep, highlight the broader implications of kinase activity in sleep regulation across species, and provide further

support for potential therapeutic strategies to enhance sleep efficiency," write the researchers.

The research team hopes that identifying these mutations in naturally short sleepers could lead to treatment for sleep disorders.

Article continues below The study was published in the journal PNAS.