Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41053898›Full record

ArticleClinical epigenetics2025

Sex-specific associations between insomnia symptoms and mental health among Chinese young adults and the modified effect of CRY2 gene DNA methylation.

Meng Fan, Yaqian Niu, Wanyu Che, Yuming Chen, Yuxuan Cao, Tangjun Jiang, Meng Wang, Tingting Li, Shuman Tao, Yajuan Yang and 3 more

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In one paragraph

Article in Clinical epigenetics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Meng Fan *School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
Yaqian Niu *School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
Wanyu CheDepartment of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Yuming ChenDepartment of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Yuxuan CaoDepartment of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Tangjun JiangDepartment of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Meng WangDepartment of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Tingting LiDepartment of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Shuman TaoMOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle / Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course / NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Yajuan YangSchool of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
Liwei ZouMOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle / Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course / NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Fangbiao TaoSchool of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
Xiaoyan WuSchool of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China. xywu@ahmu.edu.cn.

Funding

Graduate youth Cultivation Project of School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University hlqm12024021Grants for Scientific Research Level Improvement Plan from Anhui Medical University 2022xkjT004National Natural Science Foundation of China 82173542, 82373592
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe prevalence of insomnia and mental illness varies by sex. The mRNA expression level of the CRY gene in patients with insomnia is significantly decreased, and the expression level of the CRY2 gene is closely related to depression. However, sex differences in the link between insomnia and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as whether CRY2 gene DNA methylation can regulate this association, are not yet fully understood.

objectiveInvestigate sex-specific differences in the associations between insomnia symptoms and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among young adults. Furthermore, we explored whether the CRY2 clock DNA methylation moderates these relationships.

methodsA total of 1100 participants from two Chinese universities provided baseline data on insomnia symptoms and follow-up symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress assessments 1 year later. Among them, 605 participants contributed DNA methylation data for the CRY2 gene. Binary logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were employed to analyze both linear and nonlinear relationships. Moderation analyses examined the effect of CRY2 gene DNA methylation, complemented by stratified analyses for sex-specific differences.

resultsSignificant sex-specific differences emerged in recognizing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, with insomnia symptoms notably increasing the risk of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Logistic regression revealed a significant association between insomnia symptoms and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress exclusively in females. Furthermore, restricted cubic spline analyses demonstrated a consistent nonlinear relationship in both males and females. Notably, CRY2 gene DNA methylation negatively moderated the relationship between insomnia symptoms and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and had sex-specific difference.

conclusionElevated insomnia symptoms at baseline correlated with an increased risk of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress after 1 year, with significant sex differences observed. Logistic regression revealed that this association was significant only in females, although a consistent nonlinear pattern was seen in both sexes. Furthermore, CRY2 gene DNA methylation acted as a negative moderator of this relationship. These results highlight the necessity of an early monitoring strategy for females incorporating epigenetic factors.

Indexed as

CryptochromesDNA MethylationSleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersAdultAnxietyChinaDepressionEast Asian PeopleFemaleHumansMaleMental HealthSex FactorsStress, PsychologicalYoung AdultCRY2 protein, humanCryptochromesCircadian rhythmsDNA methylationInsomnia symptomsMental healthYoung adults

Identifiers

PMID41053898
PMCPMC12502542

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.