Neanderthal DNA In Humans Affects Sleep, Triggers Smoking Addiction, Schizophrenia

Based on a recently discovered genome cluster, the scientists estimate that modern non-African populations carry between 1.8-2.6 percent of Neanderthal DNA, which is higher than previous estimates of 1.5-2.1 percent.

Results show that the presence of Neanderthal DNA in humans is linked to an array of health problems.

The team has concluded that the wide interbreeding seen in the Neanderthal population at that time is responsible for triggering health issues in modern day homo sapiens.

According to the team, the forced interbreeding triggered shorter life spans and a spate of health problems which eventually led to their extinction.

“Our analyses indicate that Vindija 33.19 was more closely related to the Neanderthals that mixed with the ancestors of present-day humans living outside of sub-Saharan Africa than the previously sequenced Altai Neanderthal, allowing 10-20 percent more Neanderthal DNA to be identified in present-day humans, including variants involved in LDL cholesterol levels, schizophrenia and other diseases,” Kay Prüfer, co-author of the study said in the report.

UCJ, UNILORIN.