Thanks to Neanderthals, we are suffering from schizophrenia

Scientists at the University of Washington (USA) have discovered the genes that modern humans inherited from Neanderthals still play an important role in life. For example, these are genes that determine height and risk of developing schizophrenia.

Previous studies have shown that Neanderthal genes are involved in regulating fat metabolism, as well as determining the risk of depression and lupus.

The gene that modern humans inherited from Neanderthals still plays an important role in life.

Experts have analyzed data of people carrying two genetic variants (Neanderthals and modern humans). They identified the exact location of Neanderthal DNA in modern human genomes and shed light on the effects of traces inherited from the ancient human genome to modern humans.

The researchers found that the Neanderthal ADAMTSL3 variant affects height and reduces the risk of developing schizophrenia for modern humans.

Researcher Joshua Akey said that "even 50,000 years after humans had sex with the Neanderthals for the last time, we could still see the measurable effect of gene expression". The researchers believe that Neanderthal DNA reduces the risk of many diseases by crossing with Neanderthals, but the complexity of the modern human genome has increased.

According to Science Alert, US scientists will then study the effects of Denisovan genes that residents of Melanesia and Southeast Asia once inherited.