Ever wish your students were as engaged with biology as they are with Netflix? What if you could teach them about brain anatomy, genetics, and sleep regulation—all through the story of a real-life “super sleeper”?
Enter “Sleepless, Not Tired”, a classroom-ready case study that follows Lena, a college freshman who only needs five hours of sleep a night—but still outperforms her peers academically and socially. What’s her secret? A rare genetic mutation and some fascinating brain chemistry. This case study is perfect in the unit on the brain to explore the role of genetics in brain function.
🔍 What the Case Study Covers
This narrative-based lesson blends storytelling with solid science. Here’s what your students will explore:
- Sleep Basics: Why we sleep, what happens in the brain during sleep, and how much is really enough.
- Genetics & the Brain: The role of the DEC2 gene mutation in regulating sleep duration.
- Neuroanatomy & Chemistry: How the orexin (hypocretin) neuropeptide affects wakefulness and alertness.
- Medical Applications: How sleep science leads to treatments for narcolepsy, insomnia, and other sleep disorders.
🧠 How This Ties Into Brain Anatomy Lessons
This case study makes a perfect companion to units on:
- The hypothalamus (where orexin is produced)
- The reticular activating system and sleep-wake cycles
- The connection between neurotransmitters, genes, and behavior
- The real-world relevance of brain anatomy in medicine
📘 What’s Included
- A full narrative-style case study written for high school readers
- Scientific explanations woven into the story
- Discussion questions for small groups or homework
- Links to the original scientific studies on DEC2 and orexin
💡 Tips for Use
- Start with the story: Read it aloud or assign it as a short reading.
- Annotate together: Highlight where brain structures or chemicals are mentioned.
- Connect to diagrams: Have students map the story onto a brain diagram—Where is orexin made? What part of the brain controls sleep?
- Discuss real-world applications: What kind of jobs might benefit from less sleep? How could this knowledge help treat disorders?
**This study is based on a scientific journal article.**
Resources:
Zheng L, Zhang L. The molecular mechanism of natural short sleep: A path towards understanding why we need to sleep. Brain
Science Advances. 2022;8(3):165-172. doi:10.26599/BSA.2022.9050003
