People living in remote areas, including Northern Ireland, are more likely to develop certain diseases, a new study has found.
The study found the most genetically distinct populations are in Shetland and Orkney, where some disease-causing variants - changes in the DNA sequence that make up a gene - are more than 100 times more common when compared to other parts of the UK.
Scientists also found populations in Northern Ireland, north and south Wales, south-east Scotland and parts of England carry genetic variants up to 73 times more common than in the wider population.
The University of Edinburgh-led study identified six disease-causing variants among those from Shetland, including one linked to Batten disease - a life-limiting neurodegenerative condition in children.
An estimated one in 41 Shetlanders are carriers of the condition, which involves vision problems, seizures, poor circulation, decreased muscle mass and curvature of the spine.
The team says the findings highlight the link between ancestry and health in remote communities, as populations in these regions are less genetically diverse when compared to cities as fewer people move in and out of the area.
As a result, rare genetic variants that can cause certain diseases can become more common and be passed down through generations.
These genetic variants may only be visible if a person has two copies of it in their DNA, as those with just one copy may be unaware they are carriers.
The researchers, which analysed anonymous genetic information from around 44,000 people across the UK, also found nine disease-causing variants at much higher frequencies in Wales, including one causing an inherited form of kidney stones disorder.
Researchers said the findings highlight the need for further research into rare genetic variants in regions across the UK.
