Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found a link between ancient DNA and the higher risk of multiple sclerosis in northern Europeans. The study suggests that genes from horse-riding cattle herders who entered northern Europe about 5,000 years ago may contribute to this increased risk. The findings were made possible by comparing modern DNA with ancient genetic material and were published in the journal Nature. The research raises questions about the role of gene variants in immunity and autoimmune diseases, prompting the need for further investigation.
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.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals that the higher risk of multiple sclerosis among northern Europeans is linked to genetic variants brought by the Yamnaya, a Bronze Age people who migrated into the region 5,000 years ago. These gene variants, which are associated with increased MS risk, likely provided an advantage to the nomadic herders in fighting infections carried by their livestock. The findings shed light on the genetic legacy of ancient populations and offer a potential explanation for the north-south divide in MS prevalence in Europe.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals that northern Europeans have a higher risk of multiple sclerosis due to a genetic legacy from horseback-riding cattle herders who migrated into the region 5,000 years ago. The gene variants carried by the Yamnaya people, known to increase the risk of multiple sclerosis, were widely spread and likely provided an advantage against infections. This finding helps explain the higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis in northern European descendants and sheds light on the disease's genetic origins.
Dupuytren's disease, a hand disorder common among Northern Europeans, has been found to have genetic links to Neanderthals. Three of the 61 genetic risk variants for the disease identified by researchers are of Neanderthal origin, highlighting the influence of ancient ancestry on modern health issues. The condition is much more common in people of Northern European ancestry, and the finding that two of the most important genetic risk factors for Dupuytren’s disease are of Neanderthal origin leads the scientists to conclude that Neanderthal ancestry is a significant factor in explaining the prevalence of the disease in Europe today.
A new study shows that Dupuytren's disease, a hand disorder that causes permanent bending of the fingers, is partly of Neanderthal origin. The disease is much more common in Northern Europeans than in those of African ancestry. Researchers used data from over 7,000 cases and 645,000 controls to identify genetic risk variants for the disease and found that two of the most important genetic risk factors are of Neanderthal origin, leading them to conclude that Neanderthal ancestry is a significant factor in explaining the prevalence of the disease in Europe today.
