Neanderthal Gene Variants Linked to Increased Pain Sensitivity in Certain Populations
A recent study published in Communications Biology has revealed that specific Neanderthal gene variants can heighten pain sensitivity in individuals carrying them, particularly those with Native American ancestry. The study focused on three variations of the SCN9A gene, responsible for encoding a protein that plays a crucial role in transmitting signals from pain-detecting nerves.
Individuals possessing any of these gene variants demonstrated an increased sensitivity to pain induced by sharp objects, although their pain sensitivity to heat or pressure remained unchanged.
A prior study in 2020 involving individuals of European ancestry had already indicated a connection between these Neanderthal gene variants and heightened pain sensitivity, as shared by Pierre Faux, the first author of the recent study and a geneticist at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment.
The study examined genetic samples from over 5,900 individuals in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, revealing the varying proportions of Native American, European, and African ancestry among participants. Approximately 30 percent of participants carried the SCN9A gene variant D1908G, while approximately 13 percent carried the other two variants, V991L and M932L.
The participants in Peru, with the highest Native American ancestry among the countries studied, were more likely to carry these Neanderthal gene variants. In contrast, those in Brazil, with the lowest Native American ancestry, were less likely to possess them.
Interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals is known to have occurred 50,000 to 70,000 years ago. Modern humans migrated from Eurasia into the Americas around 15,000 to 20,000 years ago, leading to varying prevalence of Neanderthal gene variants among different populations.
To test pain thresholds, researchers conducted experiments involving over 1,600 volunteers in Colombia. Those carrying Neanderthal gene variants stopped a pain test with smaller filaments than those without these variants when subjected to pressure on their already irritated skin.
This research sheds light on how Neanderthal genes may continue to influence our pain perception, especially in populations with specific ancestries.
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