Topic: parent-of-origin specific expression

The perinatal phase is critical for offspring development. In this period, a peculiar epigenetic remodeling establishes a parent-of-origin specific expression in a subset of mammalian genes, known as “imprinted”. These genes are pivotal for the placenta, fetal, and brain growth and exert long-lasting effects on the offspring's metabolism and behavior. Recently, also direct and indirect influences of imprinted genes on sleep were identified, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Perinatally, adequate sleep is vital for the proper formation of the offspring's brain, physiologic