Expands Coverage for Underrepresented Populations



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="930" height="760" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32247" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile.jpg 930w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-300x245.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-768x628.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-880x719.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" /></figure>



As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 23andMe is also releasing its expanded BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report,* adding 41 additional variants to the report. Many of these variants are more common in people of African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian descent.



All of these variants are associated with a higher likelihood of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer, no matter your ancestry. This new addition builds upon 23andMe’s original BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report, which in 2018 received the first-ever FDA authorization for a direct-to-consumer genetic health risk test for cancer. The original report provided information on three BRCA1/2 variants, most prevalent in those with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-health-disparities-in-cancer-risk-detection">Addressing Health Disparities in Cancer Risk Detection</h6>



Adding additional variants to the BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report will expand the number of people benefitting from the report. Studies have found that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6324494/">more than 80 percent</a> of people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 risk variant don’t know they have it. Many do not have a family history of cancer that would qualify them for traditional genetic testing through a healthcare professional. Layered onto that are disparities in access to BRCA1/2 genetic testing in some communities in the U.S., including the Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian communities. Black Americans also experience <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36190501/">dramatic disparities in breast cancer outcomes</a>, according to published research by the American Cancer Society.&nbsp;



“While the incidence of breast cancer is higher in white women, Black women are more likely to die of breast cancer,” said Vina Morris, a two-time breast cancer survivor and founder of the breast cancer awareness organization AfroPink. “This startling health disparity may be explained through lack of access to quality healthcare and delayed screening, which prevents earlier detection and more promising treatment options.”



<a href="https://afropink.org/who-we-are/">AfroPink</a> is a non-profit breast cancer awareness organization that focuses on dispelling myths about the disease within the Afro-American community. The group also provides resources and encourages prevention.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-coverage-helping-more-people">More Coverage Helping More People</h6>



Vina attended a recent Breast Cancer Awareness Month event in New York City. She was there with 23andMe’s Vice President of Genomic Health, Noura Abul-Husn, MD, PhD. Noura highlighted the expanded coverage of 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report. Noura noted that more than 20,000 23andMe customers — including both female and male customers — have one of the risk variants included in the updated report.&nbsp;



The 44 genetic variants included in the report account for about 30-to-40 percent of cancer-related BRCA variants among people of African American, non-Ashkenazi European, and Hispanic/Latino descent. The added variants also include several in people of East Asian and South Asian descent. Thousands of variants within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes confer an increased risk for cancer. While this report includes some more common variants, it does not include all BRCA risk variants. Knowing one has a variant offers customers a chance to discuss options with their healthcare provider. This might involve getting confirmatory genetic testing or taking preventive action. They may also include enhanced surveillance of prophylactic surgery or medication. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-availability">Availability</h6>



The expanded report is available to existing 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers who were genotyped on 23andMe’s <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a>, V5. As with select other Genetic Health Risk reports*, customers must specifically opt-in if they want to view the the report. The report also includes an education module. This ensures customers are thoroughly informed on what they can learn, the report&#8217;s limitations, and how to use the results.



The 23andMe BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report utilizes the same informational concepts previously demonstrated in studies submitted to the FDA for its Genetic Health Risk reports. Those were shown to have 90 percent or greater overall user comprehension in a demographically diverse population study.&nbsp;



23andMe also carried out robust analytical validation studies to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/brca1-brca2">meet FDA requirements</a>. This allowed 23andMe to add variants to the BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report. Each variant tested demonstrated &gt;99 percent concordance with Sanger sequencing. 23andMe also showed &gt;99 percent reproducibility when tested under different laboratory conditions.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find Out More</h6>



23andMe Health + Ancestry customers on the lastest chip who want to see their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ghr.brca_v2/">BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report can go here.</a>



Not yet a customer? Find out more about 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry Service and all the other services offered to customers <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">here</a>.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disclaimer">Disclaimer</h6>



**The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. Health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks and reporting carrier status. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-warnings-amp-limitations">&nbsp;Warnings &amp; Limitations: </h6>



The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. These variants also may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers. In addition, the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18. It provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit 23andme.com/test-info.&nbsp;

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMe Updates BRCA1/2 Report

New 23andMe Italian Genetic Groups for Italian American Heritage Day&nbsp;



Next time you mangi i fusilli bucati, note the similarities between the chewy, spiral noodles and a DNA double helix. Visualize each noodle as a piece of your DNA that links you to your ancestors: this noodle comes from Nonna Elisabetta, and she got it from her Nonna, Vittoria. This noodle comes from great-grandpa Giuseppe. That one from Celestina. You realize Celestina had curly hair like you, not unlike the fusilli bucati you’re savoring.&nbsp;&nbsp;



And perhaps you, like fusilli, trace your roots to southern Italy.&nbsp;



Now, for Italian American Heritage day, October 12th, 2023, 23andMe is introducing 59 new Italian Genetic Groups, to help customers who tested on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a> learn even more about their fusilli, er…rather, their Italian genetic ancestry.&nbsp;



Before we dive into that, a little history. Following the unification of Italy in 1861, southern Italians experienced worsening economic conditions due to policies that heavily favored the industrialized north at the expense of the more agricultural south, in addition to other factors such as soil exhaustion. As a result, between 1880 and the First World War, over four million Italians — most from the southern Italian provinces of Campania, Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily — immigrated to the United States.&nbsp;



While many Italians eventually returned home, more remained in the United States and were later joined by other family members — or started families of their own, leaving a lasting imprint on America’s genetic tapestry. Today, <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/italian-american-heritage-culture-month.html">over 16 million people</a> in the United States report Italian ancestry, making it the fifth-most reported ancestry behind German, English, Irish and “American.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="868" height="414" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32234" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847.png 868w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847-300x143.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847-768x366.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">23andMe Italian genetic ancestry around the world</figcaption></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-italian-genetic-ancestry-at-23andme">Italian Genetic Ancestry at 23andMe</h6>



23andMe’s 59 new Italian Genetic Groups reflect the regional differences within the country, with a rich tapestry of dialects, food and culture. Many 23andMe customers who tested on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a> and have Italian ancestry can explore where their DNA traces to in Italy. Over 95% of customers with more than 50% Italian ancestry will receive a match to one or more of these Genetic Groups, and over 63% of customers with more than 5% of Italian ancestry will receive a match.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="638" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-1024x638.png" alt="A map of Italy and the regions included in 23andMe's most recent update." class="wp-image-32238" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-1024x638.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-300x187.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-768x479.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-880x548.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-1180x735.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A map showing the locations of the 59 new Italian Genetic Groups</figcaption></figure>



Below are the lists of Genetic Groups 23andMe has added as part of this update (most common matches are in bold)



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-italy">Northern Italy</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Central Ligurian Apennines and Western Emilia-Romagna</li>



<li>Marche and the Central Adriatic Coast</li>



<li>Western Arno Basin and Magra Valley</li>



<li>Adige River Basin</li>



<li>Central Arno Basin</li>



<li>Western Gulf of Genoa and the Monregalese</li>



<li>Western Po Valley</li>



<li>Central Lombardian Prealps</li>



<li>Central Po Valley</li>



<li>Northern Po Valley</li>



<li>Northwestern Po Valley</li>



<li>Southeastern Po Valley</li>



<li>Dolomites Region</li>



<li>Friuli-Venezia Giulia</li>



<li>Garda Mountains</li>



<li>Modena and Reggio Emilia</li>



<li>Northeastern Venetian Plain</li>



<li>Northwestern Venetian Plain</li>



<li>Southern Venetian Plain</li>



<li>The Valtellina</li>



<li>Western Great Pre-Alpine Lakes</li>



<li>Corsica and Southern France</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southern-italy">Southern Italy</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>La Sila</li>



<li>Latin Valley</li>



<li>Molise</li>



<li>Sangro River Valley</li>



<li>Eastern Bari</li>



<li>Lucanian Apennines</li>



<li>Salento Peninsula</li>



<li>Southern Gulf of Naples</li>



<li>Northern Gulf of Naples</li>



<li>Isthmus of Catanzaro</li>



<li>Irpinia Region</li>



<li>Campanian Valley</li>



<li>Southern Calabrian Apennines</li>



<li>Calabrian Serre</li>



<li>Foggia</li>



<li>Vibo Valentia Peninsula and Gioia Tauro Valley</li>



<li>Volturno Valley and the Matese</li>



<li>Pescara and Vomano Valleys</li>



<li>L’Aquila</li>



<li>Western Bari</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sicily">Sicily</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Gulfs of Palermo and Castellammare</li>



<li>Gulf of Termini Imerese</li>



<li>Malta and South Central Sicily</li>



<li>Central Sicily</li>



<li>Eastern Messina</li>



<li>Platani Basin</li>



<li>Southern Trapani</li>



<li>Northern Trapani</li>



<li>Western Messina and the Aeolian Islands</li>



<li>Mount Etna and the Simeto Basin</li>



<li>Eleuterio Basin</li>



<li>Ragusa Hyblaean Plateau</li>



<li>Syracuse Hyblaean Plateau</li>



<li>Sciacca Verdura Basin</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sardinia">Sardinia</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Northeastern Sardinian Highlands</li>



<li>Campidano Plain and Gennargentu Mountains</li>



<li>Coghinas, Mannu, and Temo Basins&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



More on the update



About 4 percent of customers who’ve tested on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a> receive a match to one or more Genetic Groups in Southern Italy, 2.4 percent&nbsp; receive a match to one or more groups in Sicily, 1.4 percent to one or more groups in northern Italy, and less than 1% to groups in Sardinia.



Many customers with Italian ancestry may already have a Country Match to Italy, as well as subregion insights.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-top-5-italian-administrative-subregions-among-23andme-customers-nbsp">The top 5 Italian administrative subregions among 23andMe customers&nbsp;</h6>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sicily &#8211; 4 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Sicily</li>



<li>Campania &#8211; 3 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Campania</li>



<li>Calabria &#8211; 2.5 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Calabria</li>



<li>Apulia &#8211; 1.9 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Apulia&nbsp;</li>



<li>Abruzzo &#8211; 1.7 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from&nbsp; Abruzzo</li>
</ol>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancestry-composition-update">Ancestry Composition update</h6>



23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Composition report is a living analysis that improves as we add new reference data. Underlying our Ancestry reports are powerful algorithms and analytical tools developed by 23andMe population geneticists and engineers to offer our customers more insights into their ancestral origins.



Over the last few years, we&#8217;ve updated results to allow our customers to see more detail about their connections to specific geographic regions that also correspond to cultural and linguistic regions.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find out more</h6>



23andMe customers can see their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ancestry_composition_hd/">Ancestry Composition</a>.&nbsp;



Not yet a customer? Find out more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">23andMe’s Ancestry Service and other services</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="626" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-1024x626.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-32237" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-1024x626.jpeg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-300x183.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-768x470.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-880x538.jpeg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-1180x722.jpeg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura.jpeg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parting-thoughts">Parting thoughts</h6>



We leave you with a taste of Italy — Learn how to fare una bella figura



Ever wonder what the secret is to an elderly Italian gentleman’s impeccable outfit — like a perfectly draped scarf? Or why an Italian chef can make a few simple ingredients (fresh basil, mozzarella, and ripe tomato) taste so delicious? Fare una bella figura translates to “to make a beautiful impression,” and captures the essence of how Italians aspire to bring aesthetic beauty to everything they do and make.



Happy Italian American Heritage Day!

A heatmap of the United States showing concentrations of 23andMe customers with Italian Ancestry.

Italian Genes and American Dreams

Update: December 5, 2023 2:45 PM PST



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-credential-stuffing-incident-what-happened">Credential Stuffing Incident: What happened?</h2>



As our investigation comes to a close, we wanted to share the details of what took place and our findings.&nbsp;



In early October, we learned that a threat actor accessed a select number of individual 23andMe.com accounts through a process called credential stuffing. That is, usernames and passwords that were used on 23andMe.com were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously compromised or otherwise available. We do not have any indication that there was a data security incident within our systems, or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks.&nbsp;



The threat actor used the compromised accounts to access information shared with these accounts. Specifically, DNA Relatives profiles connected to these compromised accounts, which consist of information that a customer chooses to make available to their genetic relatives when they opt in to participate in 23andMe’s DNA Relatives feature. A DNA Relatives profile includes information such as display name, predicted relationships, and percentage of DNA shared with matches. You can find a full list of the types of information included in a DNA Relatives profile <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170838">here</a>.



Additionally, through the compromised accounts, the threat actor accessed a feature called Family Tree, which includes a limited subset of DNA Relatives profile information. The Family Tree feature does not include ancestry information such as the percentage of DNA shared with genetic matches or ancestry reports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-threat-actor-accessed-nbsp">What the Threat Actor Accessed&nbsp;</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The threat actor was able to access less than 0.1%, or roughly 14,000 user accounts, of the existing 14 million 23andMe customers through credential stuffing.&nbsp;</li>



<li>The threat actor used the compromised credential stuffed accounts to access the information included in a significant number of DNA Relatives profiles (approximately 5.5 million) and Family Tree feature profiles (approximately 1.4 million), each of which were connected to the compromised accounts.</li>
</ul>



Since detecting the incident, we emailed all customers to notify them of the investigation and are continuing to notify impacted customers, based on applicable laws. We also required every 23andMe customer to reset their password. In addition, 23andMe now requires all new and existing customers to login using two-step verification. Protecting our customers’ data privacy and security remains a top priority for 23andMe, and we will continue to invest in protecting our systems and data.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-security-incident-updates">Security Incident Updates</h2>



Update: December 1, 2023 3:45 PM PST



23andMe has completed its investigation, assisted by third-party forensics experts. We are in the process of notifying affected customers, as required by law.&nbsp;



We have taken steps to further protect customer data, including requiring all existing customers to reset their password and requiring two-step verification for all new and existing customers. The company will continue to invest in protecting our systems and data.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Updated: November 6, 2023 7:45 AM PST



Starting today, we are requiring all customers to utilize email 2-step verification (2SV) as an&nbsp;added&nbsp;layer of protection for their account.&nbsp;New customers will be automatically enrolled in email 2SV when they create their account. Existing customers who do not already use an authenticator app will also be automatically enrolled in email 2SV, and will receive an email containing their verification code at their next sign-in. You can read <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/enhanced-customer-security-at-23andme-with-2-step-verification">more on our blog post</a>.



Update: October 20, 2023 9:35 PM PST



As part of the ongoing security investigation, we have temporarily disabled some features within the DNA Relatives tool as an additional precaution to protect the privacy of our customers.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-actions-has-23andme-taken">What actions has 23andMe taken?</h2>



Update: October 9, 2023 8:25 PM PST



Our investigation continues and we have engaged the assistance of third-party forensic experts. We are also working with federal law enforcement officials.&nbsp;



We are reaching out to our customers to provide an update on the investigation and to encourage them to take additional actions to keep their account and password secure. Out of caution, we are requiring that all customers reset their passwords and are encouraging the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA).



If we learn that a customer’s data has been accessed without their authorization, we will notify them directly with more information.



Please continue to follow this blog for updates as our investigation continues



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



October 6, 2023



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-credential-stuffing-attack">Credential Stuffing Attack</h2>



We recently learned that certain 23andMe customer profile information that they opted into sharing through our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170838">DNA Relatives feature</a>, was compiled from individual 23andMe.com accounts without the account users’ authorization.



After learning of suspicious activity, we immediately began an investigation.&nbsp; While we are continuing to investigate this matter, we believe threat actors were able to access certain accounts in instances where users recycled login credentials – that is, usernames and passwords that were used on <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe.com</a> were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously hacked. 



We believe that the threat actor may have then, in violation of our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/legal/terms-of-service/#requirements-and-conditions">Terms of Service</a>, accessed <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe.com</a> accounts without authorization and obtained information from certain accounts, including information about users’ DNA Relatives profiles, to the extent a user opted into that service.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-committed-to-safety-and-security">Committed to Safety and Security</h2>



23andMe is committed to providing you with a safe and secure place where you can learn about your DNA knowing your privacy is protected. We are continuing to investigate to confirm these preliminary results. We do not have any indication at this time that there has been a data security incident within our systems, or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks.&nbsp;



At 23andMe, we take security seriously. We exceed industry data protection standards and have achieved three different ISO certifications to demonstrate the strength of our security program.&nbsp; We actively and routinely monitor and audit our systems to ensure that your data is protected.&nbsp; When we receive information through those processes or from other sources claiming customer data has been accessed by unauthorized individuals, we immediately investigate to validate whether this information is accurate. Since 2019 we’ve offered and encouraged users to use multi-factor authentication (MFA), which provides an extra layer of security and can prevent bad actors from accessing an account through recycled passwords.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recommendations">Recommendations </h2>



We encourage our customers to take as much action to keep their account and password secure. Out of caution, we recommend taking the following steps:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Confirm you have a strong password, one that is not easy to guess and that is unique to your 23andMe account. If you are not sure whether you have a strong password for your account, reset it by following the steps outlined <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/202907580-Forgot-Your-Password-#:~:text=You%20are%20able%20to%20reset,the%20Send%20Reset%20Email%20button.">here</a>.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Please be sure to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your 23andMe account. You can enable MFA by following the steps outlined <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034119874-Adding-2-Step-Verification-to-Your-23andMe-Account">here</a>.</li>



<li>Review our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360062175913-Privacy-and-Security-Help-Center">Privacy and Security Checkup</a> page with additional information on how to keep your account secure.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-assistance-customer-care-is-available">Need Assistance? Customer Care is Available</h2>



23andMe is here to support you. Please contact Customer Care at <a href="mailto:customercare@23andme.com">customercare@23andme.com</a> if you need assistance with navigating these important steps to protect your account.

An image of a lock a computer, DNA and a mobile phone representing security protections.

Addressing Data Security Concerns – Action Plan

<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05241-y">A study by scientists from 23andMe’s Therapeutics</a> team offers new insights into the structural properties of nanobodies, a type of antibody but with a different structure and shape making them much more adaptable for drug development. The findings from this new study could help in developing targeted therapies, new treatments, and new diagnostic tools.



“By combining 3D structural information of antibodies with the genetic information we gained a unique insight on how the immune system functions to generate nanobodies,” said Patrick Koenig, director in <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">23andMe Therapeutics</a>’ Antibody &amp; Protein Engineering team and lead author of the study. “We believe using this deeper understanding will help us to generate better nanobody-based drugs faster.&#8221;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-line-of-defense">First Line of Defense</h6>



Antibodies, produced in B-cells, are our bodies’ first line of defense against disease. They attack infection, or malignant growths. These and other foreign invaders, known as antigens, trigger an immune response and the production of antibodies that defend against them.&nbsp;



Drug hunters have long enlisted antibodies in their search for new treatments and diagnostics for disease. The quest for scientists is to help our bodies create antibodies that target specific cancers, diseases, or infections, while leaving healthy cells alone.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-camels-llamas-and-alpacas">Camels, Llamas and Alpacas</h6>



For more than three decades drug hunters have leaned heavily on an unlikely ally in this effort, camelids — camels, llamas, and alpacas — as part of this quest for new targeted therapies. These animals, and a few others, produce slightly different types of antibodies.&nbsp;



Camelids produce antibodies that are smaller — hence the name nanobodies — and have a different shape. The distinctive shape is described in their name single-variable, heavy chain-only antibodies. They are also known as VHH antibodies or nanobodies, but the long name is a reference to their shape and size. That difference in shape and size — especially at the distinctive Y-shaped tips of these nanobodies — makes them much more adaptable. Nanobodies more easily fit and bind to proteins that block viruses and other invaders from infecting cells in the body. 



In 2019 the FDA approved the first treatment developed from a nanobody for use against a rare blood disorder.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kinked-and-extended">Kinked and Extended</h6>



The VHH nanobodies can be grouped into two types based on their 3D shape. One has a distinctive kinked end, the other has an extended end. Understanding the structure of these nanobodies — why they are shaped the way they are, and the process involved in how they are formed — could help scientists engineer nanobodies with improved characteristics tailored to fight against certain diseases.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05241-y">Communication Biology</a>. The research, completed by scientists in 23andMe’s Therapeutics team, offers insights into how the different shapes of nanobodies are formed. It also illustrated how those nanobodies interact differently with antigen to perform their binding function. The study indicates that the structure of these nanobodies are not random but rather the result of specific selection processes during B-cell development in the immune response.



Learn more about the work of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">23andMe Therapeutics here</a>.

Structure of Antibodies Plays a Role in Targeted Therapies

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-9735 size-full" title="segments" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/segments.jpg" alt="" width="357" height="221" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/segments.jpg 357w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/segments-300x186.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px" />
Editor&#8217;s Note: This was first published in 2011, but we&#8217;re republishing it now after making a few updates.
Just a few thin green segments on my fourth and seventh chromosomes sent me searching.
I wanted to know more about my family history. I pestered my mom with questions about her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. I even went digging on my own into birth records, old newspaper clippings, and state archives.
<h2>A Glance at African DNA Through History </h2>
Eventually, I wandered into family history records on the plains of Nebraska, Iowa, and then the hills of West Virginia.
I wanted to know what those segments represented – or, more accurately – who they represented.
I’m white.
My hair, or at least the hair I once had, is blond. (That&#8217;s me on the left with my brother when we were kids.) Our heritage is solidly English, Irish, and German. I named my son after a Gaelic folk hero.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-9737" title="Kid Picture" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Kid-Picture.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="265" />
But those thin green segments in my 23andMe Ancestry Painting meant that one of my grandmother’s great-grandmothers, or one of her great-grandfathers, was black.
<h2>Hidden History</h2>
It’s no secret, or it shouldn’t be, that a majority of African Americans have European ancestry — on average between 20 and 25 percent. It’s one of those vestiges of America’s history of slavery.
“For anyone still naive enough to believe in the myth of racial purity, it is one more corroboration that the social categories of &#8216;white&#8217; and &#8216;black&#8217; are and always have been more porous than can be imagined,” wrote Harvard Professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. in <a href="https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/118292">an article</a> about Michelle Obama’s ancestry.
<h2>What Does it Mean to have 1% African Ancestry?</h2>
While much has been written about European ancestry among African Americans, what’s less well known is how many Americans, like me, who consider themselves white also have African ancestry.
Researchers at 23andMe looked at the genetic ancestry of about 78,000 customers likely to consider themselves to be entirely of European ancestry. They found that somewhere between 3 percent and 4 percent of those people have “hidden” African ancestry.
The percentage of African ancestry is relatively low, with the majority of individuals having just 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent – which suggests that those people have an African ancestor who lived about six generations, or about 200 years, ago.
<h2>African DNA Explained Over 200 Years or Five Generations</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-9847" title="hiddenafricanancestry_chart" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiddenafricanancestry_chart.png" alt="" width="411" height="275" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiddenafricanancestry_chart.png 411w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiddenafricanancestry_chart-300x201.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px" />
This is by no means meant to represent the percent of African ancestry among those who identify as of European descent across America. It is simply a snapshot of those in our database at this time. Our researchers have also excluded those with more than 5 percent African ancestry with the assumption that it’s more likely that their ancestry is known. That doesn’t mean it is known, just as it doesn’t mean that those of European descent with 5 percent or less African ancestry are unaware of it.
In addition, our database includes customers who are actually European so the percentage of Americans of European descent in our database who have African ancestry may be higher.
But we believe this is the first detailed look at the African ancestry among those who consider themselves white. It begs many questions for possible future study.
<h2>Another View of History</h2>
For instance, looking at the generational distribution implied by the percentages, most of the mixing occurred 200 years ago or more. We know that the exploitation of slavery included rape and sexual exploitation. In addition, there may have been cases where the relative isolation of people was such that the societal taboos against mixing of the races were more lax.
At the very least, these findings suggest a more complicated picture of race relations at that time.
The news has recast our own picture of who our ancestors were. My sisters and I have 1 percent African ancestry. My mother, a generation closer to the source, has more. It was a surprise for a family that thought we were a mix of Irish, German, and French. The news tells us that we were both descended from an enslaved woman and the person who enslaved her. It makes that awful part of American history much more real for us.
<h2>Generational Differences</h2>
But the surprise triggered our search to find out about our genealogical history.
Just as 23andMe’s findings offer a new narrative about American social history and race relations, the discovery provided another look at where we came from.
Somewhere in our family’s past, we had a black ancestor who was “absorbed” into white society. That story was hidden until our DNA revealed it.
This ancestor would have lived during the era of slavery. This was at a time and in a place where the “Rule of Hypodescent” held that anyone with any African ancestry was considered “black.” This was more commonly known as the “one-drop rule.”
Beyond what this might say about American history, the finding also comes when people appear more comfortable with mixed ancestry. So, what will this finding mean for other families now?
On a personal note, each generation in had a different reaction to the news of having an African ancestor.
What’s also interesting is that our evidence of  African ancestry can’t be seen in the next generation. The generation of my children and my sisters’ children don&#8217;t have measurable African ancestry. They are also the generation that seemed most excited by the news. They were also most disappointed that they didn’t have it.
<h2>Melugeons</h2>
James Larry Vick talked about his own similar discovery through 23andMe that he had African ancestors.
At first, he thought it was a mistake. He has since pieced together the link. He believes it was from his mother’s 2nd great-grandmother, who had come from the Cumberland Gap area of Appalachia. This is the home to a tri-racial population known as “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melungeon">Melungeon</a>s.” The Melungeons are of European, African, and Native American ancestry.
“I do not think anyone in our family would have believed we could have an African segment, and none would believe we could have Melungeon ancestry,” Vick said. “I doubt anyone in my family would know what Melungeon is.”
<h2>Find out if you have Hidden African Ancestry</h2>
Our family’s search of records hasn’t led to quite as detailed of a discovery. However, it’s offered some tantalizing hints linking us to people with the same surname as my mother’s great-grandmother in the same small West Virginia town.
Using 23andMe’s Relative Finder tool, I’ve hunted for people with the same surname. I&#8217;ve also looked for those with a family history from that area. This may lead us to new clues. But the journey through this hidden family history has already taught us a lot about ourselves and America’s own hidden history.
So what about you?
With 23andMe, you can learn a lot about your own ancestry. Maybe there will be no big surprises, but often, our histories are not as black and white as we believe. Using 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Composition feature to explore the mix of your ethnic origins.
You can dig deeper by delving into the Ancestry Timeline to learn when certain ethnicities are &#8220;mixed&#8221; into your family DNA. (According to this tool, our family&#8217;s African ancestors likely lived between 1750 and 1810.) If one or both of your parents have tested, you can see what ancestry came from the paternal versus the maternal side of the family.
 Explore Your African DNA and all the origins with <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service.</a>
<h2>Learn More</h2>
You can also find out if your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/genetic-health/">genetics</a> might Increase your risk for any health conditions with 23andMe.

Learn About Hidden African DNA & Ancestry

Editor&#8217;s note: This post has been edited slightly since it first appeared in 2020.



A <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-00956-y">new study</a> that uncovered dozens of genetic associations for why some people are left-handed or ambidextrous offers potential new insight into the human brain&#8217;s structure and function. 



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="724" height="483" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1251025203.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30112" style="width:362px;height:242px" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1251025203.jpg 724w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1251025203-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" /></figure>



In the largest study of its kind, researchers in Australia uncovered almost 50 genetic variants associated with being left-handed or ambidextrous. 



Using data from 1.7 million individuals, including more than 1.1 million 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, scientists at the University of Queensland&#8217;s <a href="https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/">QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute</a>, found that many different genetic variants — each with a small effect — influence a person&#8217;s &#8220;handedness.&#8221;&nbsp; But the study also showed that while genetics plays an important role, environmental influences have a more significant impact on which hand a person favors. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-right-and-left-brain">Right and Left Brain</h2>



 Studying what researchers call &#8220;handedness&#8221; is significant because it offers insight into the brain&#8217;s lateralization. Lateralization refers to the tendency for different cognitive and neural functions — language, for instance — to be located on one side of the brain and not the other. In this study, the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/genetic-science/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">genetic associations</a> with left-handedness may also point to influences on the development of brain tissue that is important for generating new neurons and other functions that regulate brain development. 



&#8220;Although there is an enduring fascination with why some people are left or right-handed or both, understanding why some people are left-handed and others right-handed is also an important research question because handedness can influence brain structure and the way different functions are located within the brain,&#8221; said <a href="https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/people/sarah-medland/">Professor Sarah Medland</a>, co-senior author of the paper and head of QIMR Berghofer&#8217;s Psychiatric Genetics Group. 



The researchers also found genetic correlations with being left-handed and schizophrenia and having bipolar disorder. This raises questions about whether this is related to the influence on brain structure and function found in this research. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-study-size">Large Study Size</h2>



 For this study, the researchers combined data from many different research cohorts.&nbsp; The study included data not only from 23andMe customers, but also data from the UK Biobank, and 32 other researcher institutions from around the globe. 



All together it included data from about 1.5 million people who are right-handers, about 194,000 who are left-handers, and 37,000 who are ambidextrous. The study identified 41 genetic variants associated with being left-handed and seven associated with being ambidextrous. There is very little genetic correlation between being left-handed and being ambidextrous, according to the researchers. 



The study appears in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-00956-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nature Human Behaviour</a>.

The Genetics of Being Left-Handed or Right-Handed

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Harvard, the Broad Institute, the National Cancer Institute, and 23andMe have developed a method that significantly improves the performance of polygenic risk score models for people of non-European ancestry.



This new method holds promises that future clinical use of new polygenic models will be less likely to exacerbate health inequities.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="155" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Polygenic-Risk-score-1024x155.png" alt="An illustration of polygenic risk score models
" class="wp-image-29420" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Polygenic-Risk-score-1024x155.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Polygenic-Risk-score-300x45.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Polygenic-Risk-score-768x116.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Polygenic-Risk-score-880x133.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Polygenic-Risk-score.png 1026w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-polygenic-risk-scores">What Are Polygenic Risk Scores?</h2>



Over the last several years, these kinds of risk models, also known as <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/nilanjan-chatterjee">polygenic risk scores, or PRS</a>, have begun to offer up meaningful risk information on many diseases like <a href="https://www.23andme.com/brca/">breast cancer</a>, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/screening-for-t2d">type 2 diabetes</a>, or <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/coronary-artery-disease/">heart disease.</a> But the performance of these models — which rely on very large genome wide association studies and are based on hundreds or thousands or even many thousands of variants to calculate risk — perform poorly for non-Europeans. That’s in part because of the lack of genetic research that includes data from non-Europeans.



Outlined in a paper published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-023-01501-z">Nature Genetics,</a> this new method addresses that problem, improving both the performance and training and building speed of these risk models. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-is-the-new-polygenic-risk-model-changing-the-game">How Is the New Polygenic Risk Model Changing the Game?</h2>



Dubbed CT-SLEB, this new approach substantially improved the performance of polygenic risk models in diverse populations, especially among people with African ancestry. And these CT-SLEB models can be modeled much faster than other polygenic risk modeling methods.



“At 23andMe, we are committed to providing health value to everyone. With this collaborative study, we helped improve a method to make polygenic risk models perform better for underrepresented populations so that everyone can have a better understanding of their future health,” said Jianan Zhan, a senior scientist with 23andMe’s Product R&amp;D. “There’s great potential for using these models in clinical care too, but to make that a reality we need to make sure they work for people of all ancestries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-prs-model-works">How the PRS Model Works</h2>



The scientists used three distinct steps in their approach. First, they used something they called “clumping and thresholding.” This allowed them to select risk variants relevant to different populations — European, African, East Asian, South Asian and Latino. Then, they used a statistical method called “Empirical-Bayes.” This statistical method uses the risk averages from the whole dataset to adjust the risk averages of each specific population. Finally, the team applied a third layer that involved a machine learning approach. Calling it “super learning,” this machine learning approach adjusts and improves the predictive accuracy of the polygenic risk model.



They then compared their model to nine other modeling methods across <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">five different ancestry groups</a>. They did this to test the predictive value for seven complex traits using data from more than 3.7 million 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research. These research participants were also of different ancestries. The 3.7 million includes more than 413,000 Latinos, 117,000 African Americans, 96,000 people of East Asian descent, and another 26,000 people of South Asian descent.  



It proved to be much faster, highly scalable and one of the most powerful methods for generating risk predictions in non-European populations, particularly among African Americans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-you-need-to-know-about-polygenic-risk-scores">What You Need to Know About Polygenic Risk Scores</h2>



While this new approach offers promise, the study authors noted some of the limitations. This new method substantially improved the performance of polygenic risk models in many settings, but there is still room to improve results for non-Europeans. 



In addition, the authors noted that the best approach for risk prediction might involve using multiple methods and combining the results. Even with best methods, the disparity in polygenic risk model performance may remain. That is unless there are larger sample sizes from understudied populations.



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-reports-list/">23andMe offers more than 30 reports</a> based on polygenic risk models. The model is trained with a different method but includes some of the approaches outlined in this paper that were adjusted to account for the uniqueness of our database. You can learn more about our<a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_21-PRSMethodology_May2020.pdf"> methods for creating these polygenic scores</a>.



With its large size and scale, 23andMe offers a unique opportunity to develop and improve upon these types of models with unmatched power.

Understanding Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS)

By Keaton Stagaman*



 It’s been noted at least since James Parkinson’s original essay describing the “shaking palsy” that some of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) involve the gut. So, 23andMe researchers, working in collaboration with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, are studying the microbiome of individuals with Parkinson’s disease to learn more about this “gut-brain axis” and what it can tell us about the disease.



This is the first time a single study with hundreds of people reporting Parkinson’s disease diagnosis who’ve consented to participate in this research have also included samples of both the gut and oral microbiomes.



The human body plays host to trillions of microbes—such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi— collectively called the microbiome. Over the past few decades, it has become abundantly clear to the scientific community that the microbiome plays an essential role in our development, physical health, and mental well-being. [1]&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="861" height="916" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29642" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research.png 861w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-282x300.png 282w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-768x817.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-827x880.png 827w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px" /></figure>



This latter connection, between our minds and our microbes, particularly in our digestive tracts, is part of our “gut-brain axis.” Many neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease that affect our brain and behavior — often begin with digestive tract issues as the first sign.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-parkinson-s-research">23andMe Parkinson&#8217;s Research</h6>



23andMe has focused research efforts on Parkinson’s disease since 2009. Just under half of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease suffer from intestinal problems, such as constipation, and other more classical symptoms associated with the disease, such as tremors and slow movement.



While researchers have identified genes and environmental factors that may contribute to the risk, for those with Parkinson’s, the cause of their disease remains unknown. For several years, it has been thought that Parkinson’s might start in the gut. The hallmark of the disease is the buildup of misfolded protein (alpha-synuclein) deposits in nerve cells in the brain. One intriguing hypothesis is that this misfolding might start in the gastrointestinal tissue, and travel through the nervous system up to the brain. This, of course, opens the possibility that the gut microbiome might play a key role in the pathological onset of Parkinson’s disease.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-microbiome">The Microbiome</h6>



Most studies of the microbiome in people with Parkinson’s disease have been in small populations and so far have led to more questions than answers. In order to investigate what role the microbiome might play in the development of Parkinson’s disease, 23andMe embarked on a large microbiome study in collaboration with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). Back in 2021, we invited over 650 23andMe customers, about two thirds of whom had reported being diagnosed with PD, to participate in the study by providing stool and saliva microbiome samples. To our knowledge, this is the largest single study to test the relationships between both the oral and gut microbiomes and Parkinson’s disease, providing us with the statistical power to uncover potentially important associations.&nbsp;



Participants’ samples were sequenced using a high-tech method called shotgun metagenomics, which allows us to identify not only which microbes are present in the microbiome, but genes that these microbes harbor. This gives us information of “who” is in the microbiome, and “what” they’re capable of doing. Additionally, the participants completed a deep dive survey of microbiome-related questions, such as their age, dietary habits, and biological sex. Customers with Parkinson’s also provided detailed information about their symptoms, treatment, disease milestone, and daily functioning.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-first">A First</h6>



The primary goal is to identify signatures of Parkinson’s disease in the microbiome. That is, are there specific microbes or specific microbial genes that are more likely to be present in people with Parkinson’s disease regardless of their age, biological sex, diet, or symptoms? Furthermore, we can identify microbes or microbial genes that are associated with specific Parkinson’s symptoms, how fast their disease has progressed, and how severe their symptoms are.



This is the first time a single study of this size has sampled both the gut and oral microbiomes. In doing so, we can identify links between the microbes in our mouth and gut and how this might contribute to Parkinson’s disease. As sampling saliva is much less cumbersome than sampling stool, spit-based microbiome sampling could provide us with a much easier way to test for the presence of microbial Parkinson’s disease indicators in the future.



The study included 427 customers with Parkinson’s and 226 customers without PD between the ages of 50 and 69. The customers with Parkinson’s were diagnosed, on average, at the age of 59 years old. They reported typical motor symptoms of PD including shaking tremor (67%), slowness of movement (47%), stiffness (40%). Around one-third also reported suffering from constipation. Our microbiome can differ substantially according to where we live. The samples collected in the study were collected across all 50 states in the US, which will make the findings widely geographically applicable.



With such a large cohort that has been willing to provide us with so much helpful information, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to study the relationship between the microbiome and Parkinson’s disease. More than 6 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease. For 23andMe, this is an opportunity to move the needle on what role gut microbes may play in Parkinson’s disease, which could open up new opportunities for customers with PD in the future. We are grateful to our 23andMe customers that were willing to provide their samples. We hope this will raise awareness that Parkinson’s disease goes beyond problems with movement, such as tremor and slow movement, and actually affects many other organ systems, like the gut.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/WmsPZ80pcYGHlMBpAga-YYvESjRvNWovWYD9aIheviUfEbvkX_IXnc8XEYUqfKK87pc_VBSFXbFS3mwKg3Rua2siq2iGiOFwJ30_yrn0z68oJGmQmhZqg4Nyp2nQ7G4fkBxrznOMgQHK0bbJL0ypgQ" alt=""/></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-microbiome-research">Future microbiome research</h6>



Beyond advancing Parkinson&#8217;s disease research, studying associations between the microbiome, human genetics, and disease could lead to greater insights into human health more broadly. 



Because of this, 23andMe has recently expanded its ability to study the microbiome by adding oral microbiome data from stored saliva samples to the data types that 23andMe researchers may analyze under our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/consent/">Research Consent Document</a>. By expanding the data types we can analyze to include the microbiome, we hope to power greater insights into human health and wellness. 



You can read more about these updates <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212195708-Research-Participation-and-Consent">here</a>.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citations">Citations</h6>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Cho, I., Blaser, M. The human microbiome: at the interface of health and disease. Nat Rev Genet 13, 260–270 (2012). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg3182">https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg3182</a></li>
</ol>



*Keaton Stagaman is a postdoctoral fellow at 23andMe, whose position is funded by MJFF. He has authored numerous original research papers and reviews on the microbiomes of vertebrates, including zebrafish, mice, and humans. In his previous position as a postdoc at Oregon State University, he focused his research on the gut-brain axis. In particular, he studied what role the gut microbiome plays in how environmental toxicants and neurodegenerative diseases affect animal behavior.

Keaton Stagaman

Parkinson’s Disease and the Microbiome

Although nine out of 10 parents in the US agree that knowing family health history is important for knowing their own health risks, fewer than half, 38 percent, actually know that history, according to a new survey.



That’s according to a recent poll of 2,000 U.S. respondents from a nationally representative sample for age, gender, region and ethnicity, about 90 percent of whom self-identified as parents.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-duotone-unset-1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="379" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important-1024x379.jpg" alt="An image showing that 9 in 10 parents agreed that knowing family health history is important for knowing your own health risks." class="wp-image-32166" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important-1024x379.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important-300x111.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important-768x284.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important-880x326.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important-1180x437.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-in-10-family-history-important.jpg 1413w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsure-about-family-health-history">Unsure about Family health history</h6>



Eighty-two percent of parents surveyed were concerned about the risk of unknown hereditary conditions because they don&#8217;t know more of their family’s health history.



Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe</a>, the survey also suggests that American parents are as likely to have complete medical information for their father as their mother (67 percent and 64 percent respectively). However, by the next generation, those numbers drop.



Parents surveyed were less likely to have records for their paternal grandparents than they are for maternal grandparents, for instance.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-answers">Finding Answers</h6>



For those who can’t connect with their biological relatives, or who are looking for further, more in-depth<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/learn-your-health-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> information about their health history</a>, there are other options. Half of parents polled have researched historical and medical records to learn more about their family.&nbsp;



And 52 percent of parents polled have taken a DNA test for health information —&nbsp;something 81 percent said is important in helping fill gaps they have about their biological family’s health history.



“If you have the ability to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/family-health-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discuss your family’s health history </a>with an actual living family member, don’t squander that opportunity,” said Noura Abul-Husn, VP, Genomic Health at 23andMe. “It can be a difficult conversation, and maybe they won’t have complete information to share, but every little bit can help bring you closer — and healthier — together.



“As beneficial as those conversations can be, DNA tests can also fill in the gaps, providing information even your relatives might not be aware of.”



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-testing">DNA Testing</h6>



Of those who have taken a DNA test, 76 percent said they’ve adopted healthier behaviors as a result.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="658" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior-1024x658.jpg" alt="An image illustrating that 76 of those surveyed who've taken a DNA test said they have adopted healthier behaviors as a result." class="wp-image-32168" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior-300x193.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior-768x493.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior-880x565.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior-1180x758.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/76-Adopted-Health-Behavior.jpg 1406w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Common DNA-inspired habits —&nbsp;for parents who have made healthy changed after taking a DNA test —&nbsp;included eating healthier (70 percent), improving stress and mindfulness (67 percent), and getting more exercise (67 percent).



DNA test or not, 46 percent of parents rate their overall health as “very healthy,” but only 39 percent strongly agree they’re in control of their health.



Roughly three in four, or 78 percent, were confident that they have the information they need to be proactive about their future health.&nbsp; 



“Genetic testing is an underutilized tool available for people to uncover important health info about their family and themselves,” added Abul-Husn. “Genetic testing can’t tell you the future, of course, but it can help you determine potential risk factors that you might not have known about, so you’re able to make better-informed choices for yourself and your family.”

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