Neanderthal Extinction Linked to Lead Toxicity,Study Suggests
SAN DIEGO,CA – October 16,2025 – A new study published in Science Advances suggests that lead exposure may have played a notable,previously unrecognized role in the extinctionโฃ of Neanderthals. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that a genetic variant present in Neanderthals made their brain organoids more susceptible toโค developmental damageโ from lead exposure compared to those with the modern human versionโ of the gene NOVA1.
The research team, โฃled by Alysson Muotri, created brain organoids – miniature, simplified versionsโข of the brainโข – carrying either the โฃNeanderthal or modern human โขNOVA1 gene.When exposed to levels of lead โcomparable to those estimated โduringโข prehistoric times, the Neanderthal organoids exhibited significant โฃdisruptionsโข in key signalingโข pathways andโฃ genes, includingโ FOXP2, a gene crucial for speech growth. The modern human variant, however, showed greater resilience. “This suggests that our NOVA1 variant protects us better againstโ neurological damage caused by lead,” the โขteam stated.
This finding offers a potential clarification โfor โขthe evolutionary advantage of homo sapiens over Neanderthals. The study proposesโข that โฃlead toxicity, a widespread environmental factor throughout humanโ history, may have triggered genetic changes that enhanced survival and linguistic capabilities in our ancestors. “This is an remarkable example of how an environmental factor – in this case โlead toxicity – โขmay have triggered genetic changes that improved survival and our โฃability to communicate linguistically,” said Muotri.
The researchers hypothesize that Neanderthals,lacking the protective NOVA1 variant,may have suffered greater neurological impairment from lead exposure,possibly hindering their cognitive development and interaction skills. This could have contributed to โคtheir eventual decline and extinction as Homo sapiens,โฃ with superior communication abilities, thrived. The study underscores theโ complex interplayโค between genetics, habitat, and the course of โhuman evolution.โข (Scienceโ Advances,โฃ 2025; โ doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr1524)
