In a groundbreaking study, researchers have uncovered a significant link between prehistoric herders and the high prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s, in modern European populations. This discovery was made possible by the analysis of data from a unique gene bank of ancient DNA, created by the researchers over the past five years. This is the first gene bank of its kind in the world, and it has already provided fascinating new insights into genetically-determined risk profiles for the development of brain disorders.
The study revealed that the genetic risk for multiple sclerosis originated in Steppe pastoralist populations, suggesting that the migration and interbreeding of these populations with early European farmers contributed to the high prevalence of MS in modern Europe. This finding highlights the importance of understanding the evolutionary history and genetic makeup of ancient populations in explaining the current health disparities in modern societies.