Lizard-like animal that lived 289 million years ago suffered condition akin to Paget's disease 

A lizard-like animal that lived 289 million years ago suffered from a bone condition similar to modern-day affliction, Paget’s disease.

That’s according to a brand study by researchers at Berlin’s Natural History Museum who claim to have found the most ancient known case of the illness.

The animal in question belonged to an extinct group of lizard-like creatures called varanopids, relatives of the earliest ancestors of mammals or reptiles. 

Authors identified the disease in an isolated pair of tail vertebrae discovered in an Early Permian cave at Richards Spur, Oklahoma.  

Varanopids: The animal in question belonged to an extinct group of lizard-like creatures who were relatives of the earliest ancestors of mammals or reptiles

Micro-CT scanning allowed examination of both the external and internal structure of the elements, revealing that in some places the bone had been thinned by abnormally high levels of reabsorption, while in other areas excessive bone growth had resulted in abnormal bone thickening and the ultimate fusion of the two vertebrae. 

According to the researchers, this condition is most similar to Paget’s disease, a bone metabolic disorder marked by a breakdown in communication between bone building cells and bone destroying cells. 

Paget’s disease is commonly seen today in the hips and vertebrae of humans and has been diagnosed in other living mammals and reptiles as well as one Early Jurassic dinosaur fossil. 

The disease has been linked to both genetic and viral factors, though its precise cause remains controversial.

With only two vertebrae preserved, it is impossible to say how widespread the disease was in this animal’s body. If it was restricted to the tail, the animal may only have suffered minor pain and stiffness.  

Rare: This discovery marks the oldest known occurrence of a Paget-like disease and suggests that susceptibility to such disorders was already present in our early Permian cousins

This discovery marks the oldest known occurrence of a Paget-like disease and suggests that susceptibility to such disorders was already present in our early Permian cousins. 

Haridy adds: ‘Paleopathology is the study of ancient diseases, here we scanned a pair of fused tail bones from a permian Varanopid [and] what we found was evidence of a bone disease similar to modern day Paget’s disease. 

‘This enigmatic disease is still not well understood in humans, however finding something similar in an ancient animal likely links it to something deep in our bone biology. 

‘This study is a great example of how when palaeontologists have well preserved fossils we can tell a lot more than just what animals were present, we can explore their biology, physiology and even what diseases ailed them!’

The data was published in the journal, PLOS.  

WHAT IS PAGET’S DISEASE OF BONE?

Paget’s disease of bone is a common metabolic disorder that interferes with the body’s natural bone recycling process. 

It causes new bone to be generated faster than normal — but such is softer and weaker than it should be.

As a result, the disease often leads to bone pain, deformities and fracturing.  

The exact cause of Paget’s disease of bone are unknown, however researchers expect that a combination of environmental and genetic factors are responsible. 

The condition most commonly occurs in the legs, pelvis, skull or spine.

Viewed under a microscope, this stain of Paget’s disease bone tissue shows a characterised jigsaw-like pattern

The symptoms of Paget’s disease of bone depend on the part of the body which is being affected.

In the skull, for example, the disease can cause headaches or hearing loss. 

Whereas its influence on the spine can cause nerve roots to be compressed, leading to pain or numbness in arms and legs.

The condition is mainly treated using the same kinds of bone-strengthening medications given to individuals afflicted with osteoporosis.

Men and those over the age of 40 are more likely to develop the condition.

Although it shares the same name, Paget’s disease of bone is unrelated to Paget’s disease of the nipple.