Aurora magazine

An Oxford University study reveals why some people prefer the left to the right. According to the researchers, it would be due to some genetic regions that influence the architecture of the brain. Furthermore, the left-handed genes could influence the way the brain areas dedicated to language work.

The role of DNA in the choice of the dominant hand is not new: previous studies had attributed 25% of causality to genes. Nevertheless, it was still unclear which genes were involved. For this reason, the team of Dr. Akira Wiberg examined the genes of 400,000 people. Of these, 38,332 were left-handed. Analyzes revealed common genetic variants among left-handed people, located in four different genetic regions. Three of these code for proteins related to brain development, also affecting microtubule development.

The structures in question are among the elements that determine how the body's cells will develop. Later, the researchers analyzed the brain imaging of about 10,000 subjects. This allowed them to examine variations in the brain structure of left-handed people. From what has emerged, in those who use the left the two hemispheres communicate better.

This could facilitate the mental processes related to language, even if to confirm it further tests will be needed. Within the examined sample, differences also emerged with regard to the chances of getting sick. Left-handers have a slightly lower risk of getting Parkinson's and a little more schizophrenia.

Source: repubblica.it

Researchers at the Nemours Children's Health System have analyzed the usefulness of a simple genetic test in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis. The test would identify children who respond to a particular class of drugs, PPIs. In this way it would be possible to treat them right away in the best way for them.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus that causes certain food allergic reactions. Currently, the most widely used treatment involves the use of PPIs, proton pump inhibitors. Usually used to treat diseases related to acidity problems. However, it is estimated that only 30% to 60% of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis respond to treatment. How to identify them in advance? According to the authors of the study, a genetic test might suffice.

The researchers examined tissues from 92 patients between 2 and 16 years. Children with some common genetic variants were about 9 times more likely not to respond to treatment. Furthermore, the variants could influence the greater efficacy of certain dosages compared to others.

The variants would influence the production of certain enzymes, which would make the drug more or less difficult to metabolize. Genetic tests would allow both to decide whether or not to give drugs, and in what quantities. Without the tests, however, doctors risk prescribing doses that are too high or too low for real needs. The next step will be to verify the effective effectiveness of the approach on a greater number of patients.

Source: eurekalert.org

Some of the genes used to assess the risk of familial hypercholesterolemia could change based on place of origin. UCL's team of Dr. Karoline Kuchenbaecker has discovered that the current tests do not apply to people from Uganda. This means that other genetic analyzes and therapies may not be completely effective for non-European people.

Genetic studies have helped us to better understand how the human being works, allowing us to develop new therapies. Unfortunately, most of them are conducted almost exclusively on European people or descendants of Europeans. There is therefore a large analytical hole, which affects all non-European populations and the people who descend from them. Dr. Kuchenbaecker started from this premise for her new study.

The group of researchers analyzed how some known genetic variants influence blood fat levels. In particular, it focused on groups of people from the United Kingdom, Greece, China, Japan and Uganda. The results confirmed part of the concerns. Results among European and Asian subjects were similar: approximately three-quarters of the genetic markers applied to all groups.

In the case of people originating from Uganda, however, only 10% of the markers proved to be valid in the diagnosis of high levels of triglycerides. It is therefore likely that the same cardiovascular risks relate to different markers. According to the scientists, the causes of these differences could be in the environment. Faced with an almost identical genetic heritage, the various human groups live in diametrically opposite conditions.

Source: ucl.ac.uk

Men positive for BRCA gene variants are twice as likely to get prostate cancer. This was revealed by a study by the Institute of Cancer Research, London. The researchers examined the DNA of nearly 1,400 volunteers, of which 902 were carriers of the variants. BRCA2 gene abnormalities are associated with a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Port women of the variant have between 50% and 85% suffering from breast cancer by age 70. However, this study focuses on the consequences of the gene in men, much less taken into consideration. Not always the normal tests for prostate cancer are enough: several studies prove it.

The analysis of PSA antigen alone, specifically linked to this pathology, is not applicable to the general population. On the other hand, the tests in question showed that BRCA2 carriers were more prone to severe cancers. The researchers then decided to investigate the issue.

The study includes genetic data of 902 carriers and 497 non-BRCA2 carriers. The researchers analyzed how many of the analyzed subjects were affected or would suffer from prostate cancer. About 40% of the non-gene carriers suffered from clinically relevant diseases, compared to 77% in the other group. Furthermore, the latter were twice as likely to develop cancer.

Source: telegraph.co.uk