Baldness Gene Discovered

Male pattern baldness is inherited: you get it from your ancestors. Now scientists have found the method that it gets transmitted from generation to generation: it's in your DNA.

Researchers conducted a genome-wide association study of 1,125 Caucasian men who had been assessed for male pattern baldness. They found two previously unknown genetic variants on chromosome 20 that substantially increased the risk of male pattern baldness. They then confirmed these findings in an additional 1,650 Caucasian men.

Researchers have long been aware of a genetic variant on the X chromosome that was linked to male pattern baldness, Richards said.

"That's where the idea that baldness is inherited from the mother's side of the family comes from," he explained. "However it's been long recognized that that there must be several genes causing male pattern baldness. Until now, no one could identify those other genes. If you have both the risk variants we discovered on chromosome 20 and the unrelated known variant on the X chromosome, your risk of becoming bald increases sevenfold."

You can read more in the e! Science News at http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/10/12/researchers.discover.baldness.gene.1.7.men.risk

Comments

[Lois]

Not only is male pattern baldness hereditary, some forms are associated with heart disease. The hair regrowth formulas such as Rogaine were by-products of research in heart medications; persons being treated experienced hair regrowth!

Anyhow, if you have baldness, you should ask your doctor if you are at a heightened risk for heart disease.

[Alice]

Male pattern baldness is a strong trait in my husband's family. For three generations, it appeared in the first son of the first son of the first son -- the father, the son, and the grandson -- had almost total baldness at a young age.

Then came our four sons. The first son has some top rear baldness; the second son as a noticeably receding hairline; the fourth son has none -- but the third son has the total baldness, which first appeared about the age of 16. (There is no male pattern baldness in my family history.) Grandpa immigrated to this country in 1907, so we don't know about the family before him. Pictures of his father show thinning, receding hair, but not the total baldness.

Both Grandpa and Dad died of a heart attack in their sixties.

[Peter]

My great grandfather and grandfather were bald. My father was bald as well as his two brothers. My brother and I are both bald.

My father and his two brothers all died of sudden heart failure in their sixties. All dropped dead on the spot!

I have some heart desease at 52, but am doing all the right things.

I had alway heard that baldness came from the mother's side, but seriously doubted that was the whole story...relieved to see these latest dna results.

[rendev]

95% of individuals who suffer from hair loss are known to have androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Studies published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics demonstrated that the presence of two genetic variants multiplied by seven shows the risk of baldness.

Thanks for sharing this!