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What can ancient mummies teach us about atherosclerosis?
Samuel Wann1, Gregory S Thomas2
1Columbia St. Mary׳s Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI.
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine
|August 10, 2014
Summary
Ancient mummies reveal clues about heart disease. Researchers use CT scans and DNA analysis on mummified remains to understand the evolution and causes of atherosclerosis, linking it to ancient lifestyles.
Area of Science:
- Paleopathology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a significant cause of mortality globally.
- Understanding its evolutionary origins and risk factors is crucial for public health.
- Ancient populations offer unique insights into disease development without modern lifestyle influences.
Observation:
- The Horus group is investigating atherosclerosis in ancient mummies.
- Computed tomography (CT) scanning is employed to identify arterial calcification, a marker for atherosclerosis.
- Mummies provide a direct link to past populations, their cultures, and lifestyles.
Findings:
- CT scans reveal the presence and extent of atherosclerosis in ancient arterial remains.
- Atherosclerotic findings are being correlated with the cultural and lifestyle data of the mummified individuals.
- Ancient DNA analysis is underway to identify genetic factors (genotypes) associated with atherosclerotic conditions.
Implications:
- This research enhances our understanding of atherosclerosis's long-term evolution.
- Identifying historical lifestyle and genetic risk factors can inform contemporary prevention strategies.
- Studying ancient diseases in mummies offers a novel approach to medical history and human health research.
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