Swiss researchers have for the first time discovered the gene mutation responsible for human sleep behavior.

"Most people who get only six hours' sleep a night finally crash," said lead researcher Richard Simon, adding that a minority of individuals, however, really need six hours' sleep and no more.

According to a study published in Science, DEC2 mutation explains the reason for which six hours of sleep per day is sufficient for some 1% of short sleepers.

The gene mutation can determine an individual's sleep behavior and the amount of sleep he/she needs.

Scientists concluded the mutation allows certain individuals to sleep just long enough to stay healthy.

They hope their findings will help develop new medication that would affect the need for sleep, increase or reduce its duration, make sleep more intense, or improve recovery from sleep deprivation more effectively.

PKH/HGH