Researchers awake to the genetic causes of snoring and sleep apnoea

New Australian research has identified for the first time many of the genes responsible for snoring, giving a clearer picture as to why so many people snore. Researchers from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute have identified 173 genes linked to snoring. Study leader, Dr Miguel Renteria, said many of the genes corresponded to those that have previously been linked to respiratory, cardio-metabolic, neurological and psychiatric traits.

"We knew from previous studies that snoring is at least a partially inheritable condition, which means it is influenced by our genes," he said. "This is the first study which investigates on a large scale the genetic basis for the predisposition to snore."