New research published in Current Biology identifies a specific gene variant inherited from Neanderthals that influences human height and muscle mass. Scientists analyzed biometric data from over 1.1 million adults to determine how this genetic inheritance affects modern physical development. The study found that individuals carrying this variant are on average 0.12 inches taller and carry more lean muscle mass than those without it.
The findings focus on the human growth hormone pathway. When cells containing this Neanderthal-derived gene were exposed to growth hormones in a lab setting, they showed a stronger response compared to cells with the modern variant. This suggests that the genetic material passed down through interbreeding tens of thousands of years ago remains active in the human population today.
Interestingly, this allele is not distributed equally across global populations. Researchers noted the variant is most prevalent in individuals of South Asian and East Asian ancestry, appearing in up to 24 percent of these groups. In contrast, it appears in only 0.5 percent of European populations and 2 percent of Indigenous American groups. This distribution challenges previous assumptions that Neanderthal physical traits were primarily linked to European lineages.
While this gene variant contributes to minor differences in stature and jaw structure, researchers emphasize that it is only one component of a complex genetic puzzle. Body shape and growth are governed by numerous factors, and this single Neanderthal contribution does not dictate an individual's overall physical appearance. The study highlights how ancient DNA continues to shape human biology in observable ways.