TSNARE1 rs13262595: Sleep Traits and Psychiatric Genetics
The single nucleotide polymorphism rs13262595 is an intronic variant located within the TSNARE1 gene on chromosome 8. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have linked this locus to patterns of sleep medication purchases and insomnia symptoms, pointing to a shared neurobiological vulnerability with psychiatric conditions. Having a particular allele at rs13262595 slightly shifts statistical likelihoods across large cohorts, but it does not cause or diagnose any sleep or mental health disorder.
What each genotype means
Typical sleep-related genetic profile
This genotype is the most common form in many populations. Research indicates that carriers of this genotype have a lower statistical association with sleep medication purchases and insomnia symptoms compared to those carrying the A allele at this location. Please note that sleep health is influenced by many genetic and environmental factors; discuss any persistent sleep concerns or medication needs with your clinician.
Carried by approximately 36% of individuals of European ancestry based on a Major Allele Frequency of approximately 0.40 for the A allele.
Increased sleep-related risk profile
This genotype is associated with a higher statistical likelihood of sleep medication purchases and reported insomnia symptoms in large population studies. As this variant is also studied in the context of shared genetic susceptibility to psychiatric traits, you may find it helpful to focus on sleep hygiene and discuss any concerns regarding sleep patterns or medication use with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Carried by approximately 48% of individuals of European ancestry.
Elevated sleep-related risk profile
Research suggests this genotype is associated with an increased statistical probability of sleep medication purchases and insomnia symptoms. Because this variant is linked to broader patterns of psychiatric genetic vulnerability, it is especially important to prioritize sleep hygiene practices. If you are experiencing sleep difficulties, please discuss your symptoms and potential treatment options, including medication, with your doctor or pharmacist.
Carried by approximately 16% of individuals of European ancestry.
Genomic Location and the TSNARE1 Gene
The rs13262595 variant is situated in an non-coding, intronic region of the TSNARE1 (t-SNARE domain containing 1) gene, mapped to the long arm of chromosome 8 at 8q24.3. The TSNARE1 gene encodes a protein predicted to function within the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) machinery. In the nervous system, SNARE complexes play essential roles in intracellular vesicle trafficking, docking, and synaptic vesicle exocytosis, which are central to neurotransmitter release and neuronal communication. Because rs13262595 lies in a non-coding region, it does not alter the primary amino acid sequence of the protein. Instead, researchers hypothesize that variants across this locus may act as regulatory signals or serve as linkage proxies for functional elements that influence TSNARE1 expression in brain tissue.
Associations with Sleep Medication Use and Insomnia
Biobank-scale studies, notably investigations drawing on the FinnGen study and the UK Biobank, identified rs13262595 as a lead variant significantly associated with sleep medication purchases—an objective epidemiological proxy for persistent insomnia and related dyssomnias. In broad population surveys, the minor allele correlates with a modest shift in the likelihood of being prescribed or purchasing pharmaceutical sleep aids. Insomnia itself is a complex, polygenic trait characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining restorative sleep. Rather than functioning as a direct off-switch for sleep regulation, rs13262595 represents one small contributing signal among hundreds of loci detected in sleep GWAS, reflecting subtle differences in baseline neurological arousal or central nervous system neurotransmission.
Pleiotropy and Shared Psychiatric Vulnerability
One of the most notable features of the TSNARE1 locus is its pleiotropic involvement in neuropsychiatric traits. Prior meta-analyses by consortia including the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) identified genome-wide significant associations between TSNARE1 variants and major psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Subsequent research into sleep traits revealed substantial genetic correlation between sleep medication use and psychiatric phenotypes. The presence of rs13262595 in both sleep GWAS and broader neuropsychiatric data highlights how core synaptic mechanisms—such as vesicular transport and synaptic plasticity—underlie both circadian/sleep homeostasis and mental health resilience, rather than pointing to a distinct defect isolated to sleep pathways.
Scientific Strength and Interpretation of the Evidence
The scientific evidence supporting the association between rs13262595 and sleep medication use is classified as moderate. While genome-wide significance thresholds have been achieved in national biobanks, the observed effect sizes (beta coefficients and odds ratios) are very small, which is typical for polygenic lifestyle and behavioral traits. Moreover, most existing studies have been conducted in cohorts of predominantly European ancestry, meaning that effect sizes and tag-SNP relationships may differ in other ancestral backgrounds. This variant is not a clinical test for sleep disorders, nor does it predict how any individual will respond to specific hypnotic agents. It represents a statistical signal reflecting population-level architecture rather than individual medical certainty.
Actionable Boundaries: What You Can and Cannot Do
Understanding your rs13262595 genotype provides fascinating insight into the shared biological pathways connecting sleep regulation and brain function, but it carries strict clinical limits. It cannot diagnose chronic insomnia, mood disorders, or psychiatric vulnerability. Furthermore, this genetic marker does not determine whether a person requires sleep medications or how effectively a given drug will work. Readers experiencing insomnia, non-restorative sleep, or emotional distress should focus on proven non-pharmacological sleep hygiene practices and consult a qualified healthcare provider. Any questions regarding prescription sleep aids, dosing adjustments, or side effects must always be discussed directly with a physician or clinical pharmacist.
How common is this variant?
The minor allele at rs13262595 is common in European populations with a minor allele frequency (MAF) of approximately 0.40, while frequencies vary across non-European cohorts in global reference databases like gnomAD.
Frequently asked questions
Does having the rs13262595 variant mean I will develop chronic insomnia?
No. The rs13262595 variant confers only a very small statistical shift in risk identified across large population studies. Insomnia is shaped by hundreds of genetic variants alongside psychological stress, lifestyle, medical conditions, and sleep environment.
Can rs13262595 tell my doctor which sleep medication to prescribe?
No. rs13262595 is an epidemiological association marker, not a pharmacogenomic dosing marker like CYP2D6 or CYP2C19. It cannot guide drug selection or dosage, and any medical decisions must be made in consultation with a physician or pharmacist.
How is the TSNARE1 gene connected to both sleep and mental health?
TSNARE1 is involved in vesicular trafficking and neurotransmitter exocytosis in the central nervous system. Because neurotransmission underpins both psychiatric stability and sleep-wake cycles, genetic variations in TSNARE1 appear in GWAS for both sets of conditions.
Can I use over-the-counter sleep supplements to counteract this variant?
There is no scientific evidence that specific supplements reverse or target the mechanisms linked to rs13262595. If you struggle with sleep, evidence-based behavioral strategies—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)—and professional clinical advice are the recommended courses of action.
Sources & further reading
Educational information only, last refreshed 9/6/2026. Not medical advice — these associations describe population statistics, not individual predictions.
Curious what your genotype is for rs13262595?
Upload a raw DNA file from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, or FamilyTreeDNA and see this variant — plus thousands more — interpreted in your full report.
Get my report — $29