The Neanderthal Link to Viking Disease: Uncovering Genetic Risk Factors
Introduction:
In Northern Europe, an alarming number of men over the age of 60 suffer from a condition known as Dupuytren’s contracture, colloquially referred to as Viking disease. This condition causes the fingers to lock in a bent position, significantly impacting daily activities. Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with colleagues, have conducted a study using data from over 7,000 affected individuals to identify genetic risk factors associated with this disease. Surprisingly, their findings indicate that three of the strongest risk factors are inherited from our ancient cousins, the Neanderthals.
The Mysterious Viking Disease:
Dupuytren’s contracture, also known as Viking disease, affects approximately 30 percent of men over the age of 60 in Northern Europe. It is characterized by the development of nodules in the palm, which gradually grow larger and cause the fingers to become permanently bent. Men of Northern European descent are more susceptible to this condition than individuals from other ethnic backgrounds. While Dupuytren’s contracture is not typically associated with pain, the nodules can be tender to pressure.
A Genetic Investigation:
Driven by the desire to understand the genetic factors contributing to Dupuytren’s contracture, researchers led by Hugo Zeberg from the Karolinska Institutet and Svante Pääbo from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology embarked on a groundbreaking study. They sought to determine whether genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals played a role in the development of this condition.
The Legacy of Neanderthals:
Neanderthals, our ancient relatives who lived in Europe and western Asia until about 40,000 years ago, interbred with modern humans before their extinction. Consequently, individuals of non-African descent carry between one and two percent of Neanderthal DNA within their genomes.
The Connection Unveiled:
The study utilized data from three major clinical cohorts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Finland, incorporating the genomes of 7,871 Dupuytren’s contracture patients and 645,880 healthy controls. Through meticulous analysis, the researchers identified 61 genetic risk factors associated with the disease. Astonishingly, three of these risk factors were found to be inherited from Neanderthals, and they ranked among the most significant contributors to the development of Dupuytren’s contracture.
Unraveling the Neanderthal Influence:
The study’s findings shed light on the profound impact of Neanderthal DNA on modern humans. By identifying the presence of Neanderthal genetic variants in individuals with Dupuytren’s contracture, the researchers offer additional evidence that our encounters with the Neanderthals continue to shape our health outcomes today. This connection between ancient and modern human genetics broadens our understanding of disease prevalence within specific groups.
Expanding Perspectives:
While the Neanderthal influence on Viking disease provides a compelling narrative, it is essential to maintain a balanced perspective. Hugo Zeberg emphasizes that while the connection between Neanderthals and Vikings is intriguing, it should not be exaggerated. It is crucial to remember that Dupuytren’s contracture is a complex condition influenced by various genetic and environmental factors, and the involvement of Neanderthal DNA represents just one piece of the puzzle.
Implications for Genetic Research:
The study highlights the potential value of genetic research in uncovering the underlying causes of complex diseases. By examining large cohorts of affected individuals and comparing their genetic profiles to control groups, researchers can identify genetic risk factors and gain insights into disease mechanisms. This knowledge opens doors for the development of targeted interventions and treatments to alleviate the burden of diseases like Dupuytren’s contracture.
Conclusion:
The impact of the Neanderthal legacy resonates in unexpected ways, even manifesting itself in the genetic risk factors for Dupuytren’s contracture, a condition affecting a significant proportion of men in Northern Europe. Through their groundbreaking study, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet have discovered that three of the most significant risk factors for Viking disease are inherited from our ancient relatives. This finding not only adds depth to our understanding of human ancestry but also provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of complex diseases. As scientists delve further into the realm of genetics, we continue to unravel the intricacies of our evolutionary past and its lasting effects on human health.
Additional Piece:
Unraveling the Genetic Tapestry: Exploring the Legacy of Neanderthals in Modern Humans
Introduction:
The story of our genetic makeup is a complex tapestry woven by the forces of evolution. Among the intricate threads, the legacy of our ancient relatives, the Neanderthals, is an intriguing chapter that continues to captivate researchers and enthusiasts alike. The Neanderthals, emblematic of our prehistoric past, left an indelible mark on modern humans through interbreeding. This intermingling not only shaped our genomes but also sculpted our susceptibility to diseases.
Ancient Neanderthals Meet Modern Vikings:
The connection between Neanderthals and the Viking disease, Dupuytren’s contracture, offers a unique lens through which we can explore our shared evolutionary history. The findings from the study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology bring to light the profound impact of Neanderthal genetics on the prevalence of certain diseases among specific populations, such as men in Northern Europe.
Unraveling the Mysteries of Viking Disease:
Dupuytren’s contracture, a condition characterized by finger deformities and named after the Vikings who once roamed these lands, has long puzzled medical professionals. By delving into the genetic risk factors of this enigmatic disease, researchers have taken a step closer to unraveling its complex origins. The identification of Neanderthal genetic variants associated with Dupuytren’s contracture illuminates the intricate web of our genetic ancestry.
Neanderthals: Our Genetic Backstory:
The Neanderthals, now extinct but not forgotten, roamed the Earth thousands of years ago. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, they encountered our ancestors and shared intimate moments of connection. Through these interbreeding events, a small but significant portion of Neanderthal DNA was integrated into the genetic fabric of modern humans, leaving a traceable legacy that shapes our lives to this day.
Unleashing the Power of Genetic Research:
In an era of technological advancements, genetic research has emerged as a powerful tool in our quest to decode the mysteries of human health. The study on Dupuytren’s contracture exemplifies the potential of harnessing large-scale genetic data to uncover the underlying causes of complex diseases. By examining the genomes of thousands of affected individuals, researchers can identify genetic risk factors and illuminate the biological mechanisms responsible for these conditions.
Looking Beyond Viking Disease:
The implications of the Neanderthal genetic influence extend far beyond the realm of Viking disease. Studies have shown that our ancient cousins have also played a role in shaping our susceptibility to other conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and depression. The intricate interplay between our genetic heritage and the diseases we face today underscores the importance of understanding our evolutionary past.
The Tapestry Continues to Unfold:
As scientists delve deeper into the realm of genetics, the tapestry of our genetic history unravels further. Each discovery builds upon our understanding of who we are and where we come from, offering profound insights into the intricate dance of evolution. With every piece of the puzzle we uncover, we gain a clearer picture of the forces that have shaped the human experience.
Summary:
The Karolinska Institutet and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology conducted a study on Duputyren’s contracture, commonly referred to as Viking disease, which causes fingers to lock in a bent position. The research revealed that three of the strongest genetic risk factors for the condition are inherited from Neanderthals. Neanderthals, who mixed with modern humans before their extinction, left a lasting genetic legacy in our genomes. The study utilized data from over 7,000 affected individuals and identified 61 genetic risk factors, with three of the most significant ones linked to Neanderthal DNA. This discovery highlights the complex interplay between ancient ancestry and the prevalence of diseases in certain populations. The findings also emphasize the importance of genetic research in unraveling the underlying causes of complex conditions, paving the way for targeted interventions and personalized treatments.
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Many men in Northern Europe over the age of 60 suffer from so-called Viking disease, which means that the fingers lock in a bent position. Now, the researchers at the Karolinska Institutet, together with their colleagues, have used data from more than 7,000 affected people to search for genetic risk factors for the disease. The findings, which have been published in Molecular Biology and Evolutionshow that three of the strongest risk factors are inherited from Neanderthals.
Up to 30 percent of men in Northern Europe over the age of 60 suffer from a condition called Dupuytren’s contracture. The condition is sometimes called the Viking disease because it mainly affects people of Northern European descent. The disease is significantly more common in men than women and usually begins as a lump in the palm of the hand that grows larger and causes one or more fingers to lock in a bent position. The condition is usually not painful, but the nodules can sometimes be tender to pressure.
The study researchers, led by Hugo Zeberg of the Karolinska Institutet and Svante Pääbo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, set out to investigate whether genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals are involved in the disease.
Neanderthals lived in Europe and western Asia until about 40,000 years ago, when they were replaced by modern humans. However, before the Neanderthals disappeared, they mixed with modern humans. As a result, between one and two percent of the genomes of people with roots outside of Africa come from Neanderthals.
“Since Dupuytren’s contracture is rarely seen in people of African descent, we wondered if genetic variants from Neanderthals may partly explain why people outside of Africa are affected,” says Hugo Zeberg, an assistant professor at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet.
The researchers used data from three large clinical cohorts in the US, UK and Finland, allowing them to compare the genomes of 7,871 patients and 645,880 healthy controls. They identified 61 genetic risk factors for Dupuytren’s contracture. The researchers found that three of these were inherited from Neanderthals, and these included the second and third most important risk factors.
The study is further evidence that mixing between Neanderthals and our ancestors has important consequences for the prevalence of some diseases, particularly among certain groups.
“This is a case in which the encounter with the Neanderthals has affected someone who suffers from a disease, although we must not exaggerate the connection between Neanderthals and Vikings,” says Hugo Zeberg.
The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Brain Foundation, the Erik Philip-Sörensen Foundation, Petrus och Augusta Hedlunds Stiftelse, and Emil och Wera Cornells Stiftelse.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230614220521.htm
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