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Humans are still partly Neanderthal, and this has various implications for our health. Neanderthal genes, for example, increase the risk of depression.
Neanderthals, our fierce prehistoric cousins, went extinct around 40,000 years ago. But it turns out that traces of Neanderthal DNA still lurk in the tangle of our modern genome.
Research has shown that this Neanderthal DNA is not just a historical curiosity; various health issues have been linked to genetic variants we inherited from our Neanderthal ancestors, including diabetes and depression. In this article, we explore the link between our health and our Neanderthal DNA.
Interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, our modern human ancestors, is a fascinating chapter in the history of human evolution. It is widely accepted among scientists that during the Pleistocene epoch, when both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens migrated across Europe and Asia, encounters and interactions between the two groups occurred.
Genetic analyses have shown that modern humans outside Africa carry traces of Neanderthal DNA in their genome. This proves that interbreeding did indeed take place between the two human groups. Recent studies suggest that people of Eurasian descent have, on average, between 1.8% and 2.6% of their genome of Neanderthal origin.
Interestingly, the process of interbreeding was not uniform across all human populations. Studies have shown that people of European and Asian descent generally carry more Neanderthal DNA than people of African descent. This is because the genetic exchange mainly occurred after modern humans migrated out of Africa and came into contact with Neanderthals in Eurasia.
Although Neanderthal DNA has provided us with a wide range of genetic variations that have increased our chances of survival, it has also led to a genetic legacy still felt in modern populations. One aspect of this is the increased susceptibility to certain diseases such as depression and diabetes.
On the positive side, Neanderthal DNA may have helped us survive in challenging conditions. Some studies suggest that certain genetic variants we inherited from Neanderthals may have helped us adapt to new environments, such as those involved in the immune response to pathogens (Abi-Rached et al., 2011). Additionally, there is evidence that certain traits like skin and hair color originate from Neanderthal DNA (Jégou et al., 2019).
However, scientists now say that the same Neanderthal genes that once helped humans survive harsh conditions now increase the risk of conditions like diabetes and depression in our current time of abundance.
Research has shown that certain genetic variants we inherited from Neanderthals are associated with an increased risk of depression (Hajdinjak et al., 2021). Similarly, genetic variants of Neanderthal origin have been identified that are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases (Ding et al., 2014).
One of the biological mechanisms that can explain the link between Neanderthal DNA and depression is its influence on the immune system. Research has shown that certain genetic variants from Neanderthals are associated with an overactive immune system, which can lead to inflammatory responses in the brain associated with depression.
Dr. Janet Kelso, an expert in Neanderthal genetics, notes:
"The Neanderthal DNA we inherited can influence our immune system in ways that affect our mental health."
Furthermore, there is evidence that Neanderthal genes involved in the neurological development of the brain may also play a role in depression. A study published in the journal Science Advances (Hajdinjak et al., 2021) suggests that certain genetic variants we share with Neanderthals can influence the function of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are involved in mood and emotion.
Dr. Svante Pääbo, a renowned paleogeneticist, explains:
"It is possible that genetic variants we inherited from Neanderthals influence our susceptibility to depression by altering the function of neurotransmitters."
Another example is that Neanderthal DNA still present in our modern genome may be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. A study published in the journal Nature showed that certain genetic variants we inherited from Neanderthals are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. These variants are particularly associated with the regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels, which play a crucial role in developing diabetes. Although the exact mechanism behind this association is not fully understood, the research suggests that Neanderthal DNA may play a role in disrupting glucose regulation and insulin response in modern humans, leading to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
While our Neanderthal DNA has helped us survive and adapt to various environments, it also carries genetic variants that may make us more susceptible to depression and other conditions. Due to the touch of Neanderthal DNA in our genome, we may be at an increased risk for certain health issues, such as depression and type 2 diabetes.
But don't despair; the next time you find yourself having a moment of road rage or lacking self-control when you see a piece of chocolate, you can just blame it on your Neanderthal genes.
