"Unraveling the Ancient Origins of Multiple Sclerosis in Northern Europe"

Ancient DNA analysis reveals that the higher risk of multiple sclerosis among northern Europeans is linked to gene variants brought by the Yamnaya, a bronze age people who migrated into the region 5,000 years ago. These gene variants, which likely provided an advantage to the nomadic herders against infections carried by their livestock, are now associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. The findings shed light on the genetic legacy of ancient migrations and offer a potential explanation for the north-south divide in multiple sclerosis prevalence in Europe.