Genetic Breakthrough: Gene Variants Shield Against Cannibalism-Linked Brain Disease

Gene Variants May Protect Against Brain Disease Linked to Cannibalism

A genetic study conducted in an isolated community in Papua New Guinea has revealed new insights into a brain disease that was spread through the practice of cannibalism. This disease, known as kuru, claimed the lives of thousands of people in the 20th century. The study, led by Simon Mead from University College London, focused on the genomes of 943 individuals from the region, representing various villages and linguistic groups.

The Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, with its rugged terrain and remote location, remained largely unknown to the outside world until the early 20th century. It was during this time that researchers discovered the presence of a million people residing in this region. Among them were tribes like the Fore, who practiced a form of cannibalism known as “mortuary feasts,” where the bodies of deceased relatives were consumed as part of funeral rituals.

It was through these mortuary feasts that individuals sometimes ingested abnormally folded proteins called prions, which are known to cause a fatal neurodegenerative condition called kuru. Locals, however, attributed the cause of kuru to sorcery, unaware of the connection to prions. The Eastern Highlands province alone recorded at least 2,700 deaths related to kuru.

Interestingly, the study found that not everyone who participated in the mortuary feasts succumbed to the disease. Mead and his colleagues discovered that the community had developed some level of resistance to kuru over time. They observed that certain older women who survived the feasts carried gene variants in the prion protein-encoding gene, which likely made them resistant to the disease.

By the 1950s, the epidemic of kuru began to decline as mortuary feasts were prohibited. However, the devastating impact of the disease was evident in some villages, where the number of females had significantly decreased due to the high mortality rate caused by kuru. Mead suggests that the susceptibility to the disease was higher among women and children, as they often consumed the brains of their deceased relatives.

Despite the risks associated with kuru, the genetic evidence indicates that there was a substantial influx of women into Fore tribal areas, particularly in regions with high levels of kuru. This phenomenon can be attributed to bachelors seeking wives from outside their immediate communities due to the scarcity of potential partners locally.

The study not only sheds light on the genetic factors that may confer resistance to kuru but also paves the way for potential therapeutic targets for prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The researchers hope to further investigate the resistance genes and their implications in combating these devastating brain diseases.

The genetic study conducted in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands province has provided valuable insights into the historical impact of cannibalism and its connection to the spread of kuru. The findings highlight the complex interplay between genetics, cultural practices, and disease susceptibility, offering a deeper understanding of the unique population dynamics in this remote region.

Gene Variants Provide Resistance Against Brain Disease Linked to Cannibalism

The genetic study conducted in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands province has uncovered a significant effect related to the brain disease known as kuru, which was spread through the practice of cannibalism. The research revealed that certain gene variants provide resistance to this fatal neurodegenerative condition.

While the Fore tribe in Papua New Guinea engaged in mortuary feasts, consuming the bodies of their deceased relatives, not all individuals who participated in these rituals developed kuru. The study led by Simon Mead and his colleagues found that older women who survived the feasts carried gene variants in the prion protein-encoding gene, which likely conferred resistance to the disease.

This discovery has profound implications for understanding the mechanisms of kuru and related prion diseases. By identifying specific gene variants associated with resistance, researchers can potentially uncover therapeutic targets for diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), which caused a serious epidemic in the UK during the 1990s.

The resistance to kuru observed in the Papua New Guinean community provides hope for future advancements in combating prion diseases. Understanding the genetic factors that confer resistance can lead to the development of targeted treatments or interventions to prevent the progression of these devastating brain disorders.

Moreover, the study’s findings shed light on the complex interplay between genetics and cultural practices. The decline of kuru as mortuary feasts became illegal demonstrates the impact of societal changes on disease prevalence. The prohibition of cannibalistic practices not only saved lives but also allowed the community to evolve and develop resistance to the disease over time.

It is important to note that the genetic resistance observed in this specific community may not be applicable to other populations or prion diseases. However, the study’s success in identifying gene variants associated with resistance opens up new avenues for research and potential breakthroughs in understanding and treating prion diseases.

Overall, the effect of gene variants providing resistance against kuru showcases the power of genetic studies in unraveling the mysteries of diseases and offering hope for improved treatments and prevention strategies. The findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the intricate relationship between genetics, cultural practices, and disease susceptibility, paving the way for future advancements in the field of neurodegenerative disorders.