Archaic Homins Had Alzheimer's Disease Risk Genes

John Hawks notes that both Neanderthals and Denisovians, where ancient DNA provides any sign at all, had genetic markers that are associated with an enhanced risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Europeans today. It isn't clear what to make of this fact as he explains with a few disclaimers, although it isn't terribly surprising that any gene related to inferior intellectual function is less common in modern humans than it was in archaic hominins.