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| | CNN - Rare disorder offers genetic clues to internal clock - October 21, 1999 |
 | | The disorder, which was discovered less than 10 years ago, is caused by a genetic abnormality on chromosome 17 and occurs in one out of 25,000 children, who are characterized by certain physical traits -- tantrums, hyperactivity, mental retardation and severe sleep disturbances, de Leersnyder said. |
 | | She added that the discovery of melatonin inversion may point to the reason for some of the aggressiveness and hyperactivity of these children who are severely sleep deprived. |
 | | Although she does not think it is possible that lack of sleep could cause retardation, the results may open the door to finding new treatments, such as methods for blocking melatonin production during the day and boosting it at night. |
| www.cnn.com /HEALTH/9910/21/genetics.circadian.wmd/index.html (544 words) |
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