What can ancient mummies teach us about atherosclerosis?

Samuel Wann, Gregory S Thomas

Journal: Trends in cardiovascular medicine 2015;24(7):279-84

PMID: 25106086

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Ancient mummies have captivated a wide variety of audiences for centuries. In order to better understand the evolution and causative features of atherosclerosis, the Horus group is applying modern scientific methods to study ancient mummies. We have used CT scanning to detect calcification in arteries as an indication of the presence of atherosclerosis, and are correlating these results with cultural and lifestyle features of various populations of ancient people as represented by their ancient mummified remains. We are also pursuing related studies of ancient DNA to define genotypes associated with atherosclerotic phenotypes.

Address: Columbia St. Mary׳s Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI. Electronic address: [email protected].; MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute, Long Beach Memorial and University of California, Irvine, CA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2014.06.005

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MeSH Terms: Atherosclerosis, Autopsy, Cultural Characteristics, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, History, Ancient, Humans, Life Style, Mummies, Phenotype, Risk Factors, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Vascular Calcification, Whole Body Imaging