Genetic research has led to the discovery of a gene that appears to significantly increase the risk of early baldness in men.
The study of DNA obtained from 5,000 men with and without male pattern baldness found two genes that are linked to the condition. One was the androgen receptor gene, which has already been linked to male-pattern baldness, the other gene is on chromosome 20.
Further analysis revealed that one in seven men were found to have both genetic variants, which was shown to increase their risk of developing androgenic alopecia by seven-fold.
The researchers say that the ability to identify men who are at increased risk of hair loss could boost the development of preventative treatments.
Richards JB, Yuan X, Geller F, et al. Male-pattern baldness susceptibility locus at 20p11. Nature Genetics. Published online: 12 October 2008; | doi:10.1038/ng.255
