Recent research into ancient DNA has unveiled a surprising genetic connection between northern Europeans and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).
The study, part of a groundbreaking project comparing modern DNA with genetic material extracted from ancient human remains, points to a legacy from the Bronze Age, shedding light on how the Yamnaya people and their horseback-riding cattle herding lifestyle may have influenced the prevalence of MS in the region.
Bronze Age Nomads and Genetic Mysteries
Approximately 5,000 years ago, a nomadic group known as the Yamnaya migrated from the steppes of present-day Ukraine and Russia into northwestern Europe.
Armed with horses and wagons, these Bronze Age people herded cattle and sheep, carrying gene variants that are now associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis.
Contrary to expectations, these gene variants did not pose a threat to the Yamnaya population.
Instead, the research, published in the journal Nature, suggests that these genes likely conferred some form of advantage, possibly protecting the nomadic herders from infections transmitted by their livestock.
William Barrie, a genetics researcher at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the study, expressed surprise at the findings, stating, “These variants were giving these people an advantage of some kind.”
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that can affect anyone but is most prevalent among white descendants of northern Europeans. Previous studies had failed to explain this geographical disparity.
The new research, using a gene bank containing thousands of samples from early humans in Europe and western Asia, now points to a potential genetic link rooted in the ancient migration of the Yamnaya.
The researchers analyzed DNA from about 1,600 ancient Eurasians, mapping significant population shifts in northern Europe over time.
The arrival of the Yamnaya, with their unique gene variants, coincided with a period when these nomadic herders replaced ancient farmers in regions like Denmark, making them the closest ancestors of modern-day Danes.
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Ancient DNA Sheds Light
The study provides an explanation for the disproportionate prevalence of MS in northern Europe compared to the south.
By comparing ancient DNA with that of over 400,000 present-day individuals, the researchers observed that MS-linked genetic variations persisted in the north, mirroring the direction of the Yamnaya migration.
While the findings offer a compelling explanation for the north-south divide in MS rates, more research is needed to fully understand the link.
Dr. Astrid Iversen of Oxford University, a co-author of the study, notes that differences in how modern humans are exposed to animal germs may play a role in triggering autoimmune responses, but further investigation is required.
The intersection of ancient DNA research and modern genetics has provided a new perspective on the complex origins of multiple sclerosis in northern Europeans.
The legacy of the Yamnaya migration, with its unexpected genetic advantages, opens the door to a deeper understanding of the interplay between human migration, ancient immunity, and the development of autoimmune diseases.
As the study prompts further exploration, it marks a significant step in unraveling the mysteries of MS and its genetic underpinnings.
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