These observations allow the hypothesis that TSD has the ability to induce a shift in USP46 gene expression through the induction of methylation changes, which may be at least partly responsible for a higher susceptibility to depressive symptoms as shown, especially for longer periods of sleep deprivation in humans (Banks and Dinges, 2007; Pizzagalli et al., 2001). Here, USP46 is linked to Tay-Sachs disease.