Ancient DNA reveals reason for high multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's rates in Europe

Researchers have created the world's largest ancient human gene bank by analyzing the bones and teeth of almost 5,000 humans who lived across western Europe and Asia up to 34,000 years ago. By sequencing ancient human DNA and comparing it to modern-day samples, the international team of experts mapped the historical spread of genes -- and diseases -- over time as populations migrated. They found: The startling origins of neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis; why northern Europeans today are taller than people from southern Europe; and how major migration around 5,000 years ago introduced risk genes into the population in north-western Europe -- leaving a legacy of higher rates of MS today.

Researchers have created the world's largest ancient human gene bank by analyzing the bones and teeth of almost 5,000 humans who lived across western Europe and Asia up to 34,000 years ago. By sequencing ancient human DNA and comparing it to modern-day samples, the international team of experts mapped the historical spread of genes -- and diseases -- over time as populations migrated. They found: The startling origins of neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis; why northern Europeans today are taller than people from southern Europe; and how major migration around 5,000 years ago introduced risk genes into the population in north-western Europe -- leaving a legacy of higher rates of MS today.

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