Latest news with #ChiariMalformation
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Suffer from headaches? Neanderthal DNA could be to blame, study suggests
From the sound of traffic to spending too much time on your smartphone, there are plenty of things in the modern world that can give you a headache. But scientists now say that some people's pounding heads could have a far more ancient origin. According to new research, Neanderthal genes could be the reason that some people are more prone to a type of headache-causing brain defect. These defects, known as Chiari malformations, occur when the lower part of the brain extends too far into the spinal cord and affect about one in 100 people. In the mildest cases, these can cause headaches and neck pain, but larger malformations can lead to more serious conditions. Scientists previously suggested that these defects might have arisen when Homo sapiens interbred with other human species in the distant past. Since these ancient hominins had differently shaped skulls, genes that would lead to healthy development in their species could cause malformations in modern humans. In their paper, published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, the researchers have now specifically identified Neanderthal genes as the origin of this condition. The researchers suggested that the mildest form of Chiari malformation, known as CM-I, could have its roots in interbreeding between Homo sapiens and other hominins. To understand how these might have been transferred from our ancestors' relatives, the researchers examined the skulls of various human species. In the paper, published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, compared 3D models of 103 modern people with and without Chiari malformations with eight fossils from ancient hominins. These included the skulls of Homo erectus, Homo Heidelbergensis, and Homo neanderthalensis - known as Neanderthals. Modern humans with the CM-I malformation had a number of differences in brain shape, mainly in the regions where the brain connects to the spine. However, when the researchers examined the skulls of ancient hominins, the only species with a similar skull shape was the Neanderthals. In fact, the skulls of Homo erectus and Homo Heidelbergensis were actually closer to humans without the malformation. Lead researcher Dr Kimberly Plomp says: 'Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis are both hypothesised to be ancestors of humans and Neanderthals, so to find that they were closer in shape to healthy human crania makes the similarities identified between Neanderthals and humans with Chairi even more persuasive. 'It means that the shape traits really seem to be unique to Neanderthals and humans with Chiari, and are not just part of our shared lineage. Since the researchers didn't do a genetic analysis, it is hard to say that Chiari-associated headaches are 'caused' by Neanderthal genes. However, Dr Plomp says it shows that some human skulls have shapes likely caused by Neanderthal genes, and those shapes can lead to Chiari malformations. That doesn't mean that every Neanderthal would have been walking around with constant headaches. However, although their large brains might have mitigated the issue, interbreeding with Homo sapiens might have given some Neanderthals a similar problem. Dr Plomp says: 'So our study suggests that the malformation can happen because the shape of our brain doesn't fit properly when our skull has some Neanderthal shape to it. 'Potentially, if there was a Neanderthal with some modern human cranial shape traits, their brain would not fit properly either.' Scientists believe that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals had two major periods of overlap and interbreeding. The first occurred around 250,000 years ago in what is now the modern-day Levant and lasted nearly 200,000 years. Previously, scientists had thought that these moments of interbreeding were fleeting one-off events. But new evidence is beginning to show that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens interbred much more frequently than scientists had previously considered. Today, up to 45 per cent of the complete Neanderthal genome survives across the modern human population, but the distribution of Neanderthal genes is highly dependent on Geography. This should allow the researchers to test their theory, since rates of Chiari malformations should be lower in areas with less Neanderthal DNA. Some people in East Asia get up to four per cent of their genes from Neanderthals, while in Africa, where Neanderthals never became established, many people have no Neanderthal genes whatsoever. If the theory is correct, rates of Chiari malformations should be significantly higher in East Asia than they are in Africa. Ultimately, the researchers hope these findings could inform methods for treating Chiari malformations or even stop them from happening in the first place. The paper concludes: 'The methods would seem to have the potential to help us develop a deeper understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of Chiari malformations, which could in turn strengthen diagnosis and treatment of the condition.' WHAT IS CHIARI MALFORMATION? Chiari malformation occurs when the brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. This can happen if the skull is abnormally small or misshapen, which presses the brain downwards. The Brain & Spine Foundation in the UK and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the US both estimate one in every 1,000 people are born with the condition. It may actually be more common due to not all sufferers developing symptoms. There are three types of chiari malformation: Type I - occurs as the skull and brain are growing. Symptoms usually appear in late childhood or early adulthood and include neck pain, poor balance, co-ordination difficulties, numbness, dizziness and impaired vision Type II - is present at birth and related to spina bifida. Occurs when more of the brain tissue extends into the spinal cord than in Type I. Symptoms may include changes in breathing patterns, swallowing problems, arm weakness and quick downward eye movements Type III - is present at birth and the rarest form of chiari malformation. Occurs when a portion of the lower part of the brain extends through an abnormal opening in the back of the skull. Has a high mortality rate and can cause brain damage Although not usually considered life-threatening, chiari malformation may be fatal if a patient's breathing or swallowing is affected. It can also lead to hydrocephalus - the build-up of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain - which can be deadly if untreated. Treatment may not be necessary if symptoms are mild with just regular check-ups and MRI scans being required. However, surgery can be carried out to remove a small section of bone at the back of the skull. This relieves pressure by giving the brain more room. The procedure runs the risk of infections, fluid in the brain and spinal cord leaking. Although the operation helps to relieve symptoms it cannot cure nerve damage that has already occurred.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Brain Abnormality in Modern Humans Linked to Ancient Neanderthal DNA
Significant brain defects known as Chiari malformations could be down the genes some of us have inherited from Neanderthals, according to a new study, causing a mismatch between brain shape and skull shape. The study focuses on Chiari malformation type I (CM-I), where the lower part of the brain extends too far into the spinal cord – typically linked to having a smaller-than-normal occipital bone at the back of the skull. It can lead to headaches, neck pain, and more serious conditions, and is thought to affect up to 1 in 100 people. Several other ancient human species had different skull shapes to our own, and a previous study published in 2013 put forward the idea that interbreeding between Homo sapiens and these other hominins may be a root cause of Chiari malformation type I (CM-I), the mildest type of the group. Related: Now, a team led by osteoarchaeologist Kimberly Plomp from the University of the Philippines has tested this hypothesis. "The legacy of these interbreeding events can be identified in the genomes of many living humans," the researchers write. The researchers used 3D modeling and shape analysis techniques to compare 103 skulls of people today with and without CM-I, and 8 fossil skulls from ancient species, including Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, and Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals). People with CM-I had differences in skull shape, the analysis showed, including the area where the brain connects to the spine. However, these skull shapes weren't similar to all of the ancient hominins studied – only to Neanderthals. In fact, skulls from H. erectus and H. heidelbergensis were more similar to the skulls of modern humans without CM-I. As a result, the researchers suggest the original hypothesis was too broad, and should be adapted to look specifically at Neanderthal links. "Rather than the genes being traceable to H. erectus, H. heidelbergensis, and H. neanderthalensis, our results are consistent with them being traceable just to H. neanderthalensis," write the researchers. The study team proposes a Neanderthal Introgression Hypothesis to replace the one formed in 2013. It adds to a growing body of evidence around how early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals mingled, interbreeded, and exchanged genetic information. Next, the researchers are keen to expand the sample used in their analysis – in terms of both modern and ancient skulls, and across ages – which should tell us more about the relationship between CM-I skull structures and skulls in these early peoples. The hypothesis also needs to be put to the test in groups of people from different parts of the world. We know that African populations have less Neanderthal DNA than populations in Europe and Asia, which should be reflected in cases of CM-I. Ultimately, these findings and the techniques used to reach them could help inform ways of treating Chiari malformations or perhaps stopping them from happening in the first place – although it's likely there are several causes for the condition, including genetics. "The methods would seem to have the potential to help us develop a deeper understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of Chiari malformations, which could in turn strengthen diagnosis and treatment of the condition," write the researchers. The research has been published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. One Piece of Advice to Parents Slashed Food Allergies in Children Mondayitis Could Have a Deadly Effect On Your Body Cannabis Use Is Linked to Epigenetic Changes, Scientists Discover
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Meet the 2025 Kerry Rose hopefuls vying to represent the Kingdom at the Rose of Tralee
The contenders from right across the county and from all walks of life will take to the stage this Saturday night in Killarney in the hope of being selected to represent the Kingdom at this year's international festival. Last year's winning Kerry Rose was Emer Dineen from Castlegregory who proudly represented her county on the stage and now she will hand over her title to the 2025 Kerry Rose. Among the girls taking part in this year's Rose selection is Alazne Sertutxa (19) from Tralee who is a passionate dancer who is proud to work as an Assistant Dance Teacher at the Tara Dore School of Dance. Also from Tralee is Amy O'Connell (22) who lives rare condition called Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia. Andrea O'Connor (23) is from Milltown and recently graduated from Mary Immaculate College as an accredited primary school teacher while Aoibhe O'Connor (24) is a primary school teacher from Cahersiveen now living in Killarney. Another Tralee girl vying for the title is Atlanta Kennedy (25) who is studying to be an accountant having graduated from the MTU. Also taking to the stage is Castleisland girl Breda Cremins (29) who now lives in Leitrim and teaches French at St. Clare's Comprehensive School in Manorhamilton while Dania Qasim (27) is half-Irish, half-Palestinian and proud to be a blend of both cultures. She works as an insurance broker in Killarney. Emma Lynch (23) is from Tralee and is a recent MTU graduate of the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care while Ballymacelligott native Laura Daly (23) is a passionate dance teacher, and business owner. Lauren Walsh Hayes is 24 years old and from Tralee. She works in Penneys and attends a day service called Inspired. ADVERTISEMENT Also representing Inspired is Lydia Murphy, 21, from Athea. 26-year-old Mary O'Sullivan is from Glenflesk and is a passionate Gaeilgeoir who graduated as a primary teacher from Mary Immaculate College. Another Tralee native taking to the stage is Marykate Lacey who is 22 and is currently the manager of Lifestyle Sports in Tralee but is going through the process of joining An Garda Siochána. Megan O'Neill from Kilcummin is an opera singer with a background in Irish music and recently completed the Doctor in Music Performance Degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Molly Fleming Lennon is 20 and from Rathmore and works with her family's licensed outreach zoo, educating children across Ireland about exotic animals. Nadine Forrest is a 19-year-old qualified childcare professional from Brosna and Sarah-Jane Foley is 25 years-old from a strong farming background in Milltown and has worked with horses all over Europe and now works looking after the elderly.
