Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Pillage, Burn, MS
I picked this up over at Kim's joint and thought it worth a moment of consideration.
- The genetic heritage of the Vikings could be a factor in the spread of the degenerative neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS).
Researchers have noticed high concentrations of MS in Scandinavia and Northeast Scotland, areas with large Viking settlements in the past.
In Finland, areas where MS occurs more frequently than elsewhere include Ostrobothnia, the upper reaches of the Eurajoki and Kokemäenjoki rivers, and in the northeast of the southern area of Uusimaa.
- Kyrönmaa, a coastal region in Ostrobothnia, has an exceptionally high frequency of MS. Experts believe that large numbers of people moved to the area in the 13th century from the Kokemäenjoki and Eurajoki areas, which also have high concentrations of the disease.
Residents of the areas on the two rivers are known to have had close contacts with Vikings about 1,000 years ago.
In other parts of Europe, scientists have noticed a correlation between the frequency of MS and a history of a Viking presence.
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