Neanderthal DNA linked to hand disorder and longevity breakthrough.
Neanderthal genes may be one cause of Dupuytren's disease, a disorder in which fingers become frozen in a bent position, according to a new study. The study finds gene variants that were inherited from Neanderthals that dramatically increase the odds of developing the condition. The researchers discovered that, of the 61 variants, three variants were of Neanderthal origin, of which two were very strongly linked to the disease. The Neanderthal gene most strongly linked to the disease, called EPDR1, sits on chromosome 7. The study has implications for future targeted therapy.