| Title: | Allostatic load, sleep patterns, and genetic susceptibility in relation to severe mental illness: A prospective cohort study |
| Journal: | Schizophrenia Research |
| Published: | 30 Apr 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42066662/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2026.04.018 |
Publication 20204
WARNING: the interactive features of this website use CSS3, which your browser does not support. To use the full features of this website, please update your browser.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Allostatic load (AL) and sleep patterns are linked to severe mental illness (SMI), though their exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of AL, sleep behavior, and genetic susceptibility on the incidence of SMI (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).</p>
METHODS: The study included 304,884 (schizophrenia) and 304,335 (bipolar disorder) participants from UK Biobank free of SMI at baseline. AL was measured using 10 biomarkers of metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory system. Sleep patterns was derived from five sleep behaviors. Cox models were used to examine the independent and joint effects between AL, sleep patterns, genetic susceptibility, and SMI incidence.</p>
RESULTS: After a median 13.7-year follow-up, 220 schizophrenia and 460 bipolar disorder cases were identified. High AL was significantly increased SMI risk, while unhealthy sleep pattern significantly increased the risk of bipolar disorder. Participants with high AL and unhealthy sleep had the highest risk (schizophrenia: HR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.01-5.88; bipolar disorder: HR = 6.94, 95% CI: 4.22-11.22). Genetic high-risk individuals with high AL (schizophrenia: HR = 5.11, 95% CI: 2.80-9.34; bipolar disorder: HR = 5.07, 95% CI: 3.20-8.02) or unhealthy sleep (schizophrenia: HR = 6.61, 95% CI: 2.60-16.84; bipolar disorder: HR = 11.19, 95% CI: 5.85-21.40) showed elevated susceptibility. AL and genetic risk had an additive interaction effect on the risk of schizophrenia.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: High AL and unhealthy sleep are associated with increased SMI risk and amplify genetic susceptibility. Addressing both factors may be crucial for prevention.</p>
9 Authors
- Yuxuan Liu
- Yingxue Wang
- Susu Tian
- Xinyi Hu
- Jiayi Tian
- Yihan Wang
- Louisa Esi Mackay
- Wei Wang
- Can Gao
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 329250 | Explore the 'microbiota-gut-brain' mechanisms of depression onset through a multi-omics approach. |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health