- A study finds rare gene variants that may play a role in some male pattern baldness cases and confirms the involvement of two genes whose variants have been previously implicated.
- Most male pattern baldness is genetic and may be treatable, especially if caught early.
- Although the study focuses on rare variants, it nevertheless contributes to our knowledge of genes and male pattern baldness.
While male pattern baldness is typically associated with genetics, exactly which genes are involved continues to be an area of investigation. The condition’s medical name is androgenic alopecia. It affects around 80% of European men (and some women).
A new study identifies three previously unsuspected genes that may be involved in male pattern baldness while confirming the involvement of two other genes already presumed to be involved.
Male pattern baldness typically begins with a hairline that recedes before it eventually connects to a bald spot at the crown of the head. The hair between the temples and crown may then thin or no longer grow, leaving a band around the lower back and sides of the head. Not every male whose hairline recedes progresses to that final state.
While strictly cosmetic, the loss of one’s hair can factor into one’s sense of self. According to a 2005 survey of 729 men, hair loss was linked to feelings of depression and reduced self-confidence.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) estimated that 2,221,191 hair restoration treatments would occur in 2021. One report suggests that the global hair transplant market will be worth $53.17 billion by 2028.
A pair of early studies estimated that roughly 80% of male pattern baldness is due to genetic factors. Researchers later identified 600 genetic risk variants found at 350 genomic loci—positions within a genome.
Other researchers, using a data set from the UK Biobank,
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