The DNA of ancient cattle herders has revealed how diseases evolved in Europe over thousands of years.

Why are diseases more common in some parts of Europe than others, and why are northern Europeans taller than their southern counterparts?

An international team of scientists say they have unearthed the answer in the DNA of ancient teeth and bones.

The genes which protected our ancestors from animal diseases now raise the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The researchers call their discovery “a quantum leap” in understanding the evolution of the disease.

And they say it could change opinions on what causes MS, and have an impact on the way it is treated.

  • qooqie@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    Hasn’t it been pretty well accepted in recent years that MS is a result of EBV?

    • MajesticSloth@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      6 months ago

      That has been a running theory but not accepted by all. Just as some believe gut bacteria plays a role in all autoimmune disease.

      Source: Have neen diagnosed with MS for 18 years and have been diagnosed with RA for 25 years. There isn’t to my knowledge any one thing all agree on as the main cause. One of my great neurologists I’ve had said to me early on in my diagnosis, the more they learn about it the less they seem to know. Since new research often contradicts prior widely held beliefs.