Neanderthal Genes and Viking Disease: Unraveling the Connection

2023-06-27 14:16:00

By Laura Pomer | Jun 27, 2023 at 4:16 p.m

Dupuytren’s disease (also known as “Viking’s disease”) is a disease of the connective tissue in the palms of the hands that can lead to stiffening of the limbs as it progresses. Those affected are mostly northern European men over 50 – and the cause of DNA sequences derived from Neanderthals. A research team wants to have discovered that.

Neanderthal genes were recently an issue in connection with the corona virus. At the height of the pandemic, researchers at the Max Planck Institute explained that DNA sequences inherited from the extinct human form can influence the course of a Covid 19 disease.1 A more recent finding: precisely those genes can apparently also increase the probability of the so-called Viking Disease” Increase Dupuytre’s Disease. An international research team claims to have found proof that the mixing of our ancestors with Neanderthals was decisive for the development of various diseases.

“Viking” disease rather “Neanderthal” disease?

The nickname “Viking’s disease” comes from the fact that the clinical picture mainly affects northern Europeans. It is well known that Vikings, the warlike seafarers of the Middle Ages, came primarily from the North and Baltic Sea regions.

But now it seems as if the influence of Neanderthals in particular played a role in the development of the disease. This is explained by Hugo Zeberg from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm in a press release by the university.2 Dupuytre’s disease is particularly rare in Africa. It is assumed that the Neanderthals migrated from Africa to Europe, 40,000 years ago the early humans were mainly dominant in Europe and western Asia. That is why Neanderthal genetic material is primarily detectable in northern Europeans. A study carried out jointly with researchers from the University of Michigan and the Max Planck Institute is said to have shown how important the relevant gene variants are for Dupuytren’s disease.

course of the investigation

The researchers accessed data from the UK Biobank long-term study and the Michigan Genomics Initiative, which identified genetic risk variants for the disease. They compared the genomes, i.e. the entire genetic information, of around 7,810 patients with Dupuytren’s disease with those of around 645,900 control persons who were not affected. Details can be found in the recently published study.3

Result

The team identified 61 genetic risk factors for Dupuytren’s disease. Three of them – the second and third strongest variants – could clearly be traced back to inheritance by Neanderthals. For the researchers, the case was clear: the fact that northern Europeans in particular suffer from the so-called “Viking disease” is definitely related to their descent from Neanderthals.

Also interesting: Raynaud’s syndrome – how dangerous are “corpse fingers”?

Dupuytren’s is a benign condition

The finding of Dupuytren’s disease can be uncomfortable for those affected. It is initially characterized by the appearance of strands, often nodules, on the palms of the hands. Limbs can become stiff over time. However, the condition does not always cause discomfort or pain. It is possible to treat symptoms (such as radiation therapy or surgery) depending on their severity, but it is not essential.