Dupuytren's Disease (Viking Disease) Hand Disorder May Come From Neandertal Genes

Author: Oxford University Press USA
Published: 2023/06/14 - Updated: 2023/06/27
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Anthropology News
Category Topic: Anthropology - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Given the prevalence of Dupuytren's disease among Europeans, researchers investigated its genetic origins. They found 61 genome-wide significant variants associated with Dupuytren's disease. Further analysis showed that three of these variants are of Neandertal origin. Those who suffer from the condition eventually see their hands become bent permanently in a flexed position. Although the condition can affect any finger, the ring and middle fingers are most often afflicted.

Defining Dupuytren's Disease

Dupuytren's Disease: Dupuytren's disease is a condition that affects the palmar fascia - the fibrous layer of tissue that lies underneath the skin and above the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and bones in the palm and fingers. In patients with Dupuytren's, the fascia thickens and contracts (shortens) over time. The fascia may pull on the fingers during this process, causing them to be forced inward, toward the palm. This may make it difficult or impossible to fully straighten the fingers, resulting in what is known as a "Dupuytren's contracture." The ring and little fingers are most commonly affected. In many cases, it affects both hands. Rarely, feet may also be affected.

Introduction

"Major Genetic Risk Factors for Dupuytren's Disease Are Inherited From Neandertals" - Molecular Biology and Evolution.

A new paper in Molecular Biology and Evolution, published by Oxford University Press, shows that a condition known as Dupuytren's disease is partly of Neandertal origin. Researchers have long known that the disease was much more common in Northern Europeans than in those of African ancestry.

Main Content

Dupuytren's Disease Is a Disorder Affecting the Hand

Those who suffer from the condition eventually see their hands become bent permanently in a flexed position. Although the condition can affect any finger, the ring and middle fingers are most often afflicted. Scientists have previously identified several risk factors for the condition, including age, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and genetic predisposition.

A 1999 Danish study reported 80% heritability for the condition, indicating a strong genetic influence. The condition is much more common in people of Northern European ancestry. One study estimated the prevalence of Dupuytren's disease among Norwegians over 60 years to be as much as 30%. The condition is rare, however, for those of primarily African descent. This apparent geographic distribution has given Dupuytren's disease the nickname "Viking disease."

A ring finger locked in a bent position as seen in Dupuytren's disease, colloquially known as the Viking disease - Image Credit: Hugo Zeberg - Molecular Biology and Evolution.

There are geographical differences in the extent of genetic ancestry linking present-day humans to now-extinct groups. People from Africa south of the Sahara have little ancestry from Neandertals or Denisovans, who that lived in Europe and Asia until at least 42,000 years ago. In contrast, people with roots outside of Africa inherited as much as 2% of their genome from Neandertals and some populations in Asia today have up to 5% Denisovan ancestry. Given these regional differences, archaic gene variants can contribute to characteristics or diseases found primarily in certain populations.

Given the prevalence of Dupuytren's disease among Europeans, researchers here investigated its genetic origins. They used data from 7,871 cases and 645,880 controls from the UK Biobank, the FinnGen R7 collection, and the Michigan Genomics Initiative to identify genetic risk variants for Dupuytren's disease. They found 61 genome-wide significant variants associated with Dupuytren's disease. Further analysis showed that three of these variants are of Neandertal origin, including the second and third most strongly associated ones.

The finding that two of the most important genetic risk factors for Dupuytren's disease are of Neandertal origin leads the scientists to conclude that Neandertal ancestry is a significant factor in explaining the prevalence of the disease in Europe today.

"This is a case where the meeting with Neanderthals has affected who suffers from illness," said the paper's lead author, Hugo Zeberg, "although we should not exaggerate the connection between Neanderthals and Vikings."

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Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Oxford University Press USA and published on 2023/06/14, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.