Neanderthal genes linked to increased muscle mass in humans

Researchers have identified a potential genetic link between Neanderthal ancestry and increased muscle mass in modern humans. According to a study published in the journal ‘Current Biology’, the variation lies in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene.

In laboratory experiments, mouse cells equipped with the Neanderthal version of the GHR protein responded more strongly to growth hormones, growing 40 percent more than cells with the modern human version. This finding aligns with data from over one million people, which shows that adults carrying the Neanderthal variant possess, on average, 270 grams more muscle mass than those without it.

The study suggests this effect manifests after puberty, as researchers found no significant difference in muscle mass among children under the age of 11. This timing coincides with the natural increase in growth hormone levels during adolescence.