"Unraveling the Origins of Multiple Sclerosis through Ancient European DNA"
TL;DR
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.
Topics:healthhealth-science#ancient-dna#genetic-legacy#health-science#multiple-sclerosis#northern-europeans#yamnaya
- Ancient human DNA hints at why multiple sclerosis affects so many northern Europeans today The Associated Press
- Scientists crack mystery of how MS gene spread BBC.com
- Ancient Skeletons Give Clues to Modern Medical Mysteries The New York Times
- Ancient DNA helps trace multiple sclerosis origins in European descendants The Washington Post
- DNA from ancient Europeans reveals surprising multiple sclerosis origins Reuters
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