Researchers weren’t able to crack the case of Beethoven’s deafness or severe stomach ailments. But they did find a genetic risk for liver disease, plus a liver-damaging hepatitis B infection in the last months of his life.
Nearly 200 years after Ludwig van Beethoven’s death, researchers pulled DNA from strands of his hair, searching for clues about the health problems and hearing loss that plagued him.
“With Beethoven in particular, it is the case that illnesses sometimes very much limited his creative work,” said study author Axel Schmidt, a geneticist at University Hospital Bonn in Germany. “And for physicians, it has always been a mystery what was really behind it.” They also looked at three other historical locks but weren’t able to confirm those were actually Beethoven’s. Previous tests on one of those locks suggested Beethoven had lead poisoning, but researchers concluded that sample was actually from a woman.
But eventually, after using up almost 10 feet of Beethoven’s hair, they were able to piece together a genome that they could “quiz” for signs of genetic disease, Krause said.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
DNA From Beethoven’s Hair Unlocks Family SecretBeethoven’s impressive head of hair is yielding new clues about his health problems and his ancestry
Weiterlesen »
Beethoven’s DNA decoded from locks of hair saved by his fansScientists searching for genetic clues to the German composer's medical ailments found a few surprises in DNA collected from treasured keepsakes
Weiterlesen »
DNA from Beethoven’s hair hints at what killed the composerMany historians suspect Beethoven died from liver failure. A new analysis shows he had a heightened genetic risk for liver disease, researchers say.
Weiterlesen »
DNA from Beethoven's hair offers clues on his life, deathThis Sunday marks the 196th anniversary of Beethoven's death in Vienna on March 26, 1827, at the age of 56.
Weiterlesen »
Scientists use Beethoven's hair to study his DNA and uncover his health issuesBeethoven wanted his hearing loss to be explained to the public after his death. Nearly two centuries later, researches were able to uncover secrets about his health - and family tree.
Weiterlesen »
1st ever analysis of Beethoven's DNA sheds light on the mystery of his deathFive locks taken from Ludwig van Beethoven's head have revealed that he may likely have died from liver disease, not lead poisoning as was previously thought.
Weiterlesen »