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Scientists uncover new gene link to male pattern baldness

13.10.2008 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Scientists have discovered a genetic link to baldness that helps explain why some men may inherit their shiny pates from their fathers.

Tests on more than 1,000 bald men revealed two gene regions that, active together, make a man seven times more likely to lose his hair. Around 14% of men are thought to carry both gene variants.

The findings give scientists a much clearer picture of the genetic causes of male pattern baldness, which affects roughly a third of men by the age of 45. Genetic factors are thought to account for at least 80% of the condition.

In the long term, the latest work is expected to pave the way for genetic treatments for hair loss, but more quickly it could be used to identify men who are likely to lose their hair prematurely. These men may benefit by beginning baldness treatments before they start showing signs of hair loss, the researchers said.

The search for baldness treatments has already seen the rise of a multimillion-pound industry in Britain alone, where an estimated 8 million men are affected.

One of the genes identified by the scientists was already known. It sits on the female X chromosome, meaning it is only passed from mother to son. The second gene region the study identified is new and gives researchers their first clue to how baldness may be passed from father to son. The tests showed one or more genes on chromosome 20 contribute substantially to male pattern baldness, although it is not clear what the genes do.

Two teams, one led by Tim Spector at King’s College London, the other by Axel Hillmer at Bonn University, report similar findings in the Nature Genetics journal. “The one in seven men who carry both these risk factors are almost certain to go bald before the age of 50,” said Spector.

The quest for baldness treatments irks some, who object to the assumption that shiny domes are undesirable, but Spector says many men experience psychological problems, including a loss of self-confidence, when their hair begins to thin.

“Baldness is a major cause of depression, social shyness and stigma for some people, particularly those who go bald in their early years,” he said. “Hopefully this will encourage pharmaceutical companies to target these people with preventive gels and creams, which may be more effective than treatments used many years after the hair follicles have already died.”

Male pattern baldness, where hair is lost from the temples and the crown, is the most common form of hair loss and is caused by an increase in a chemical called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which makes hair follicles produce thinner and thinner hairs until the follicles die off.

Hair loss can be caused by other changes in the body, however, including iron deficiency, an underactive thyroid, stress and scalp infections.

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Genetic link may explain baldness

13.10.2008 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

A new genetic link to baldness has been discovered which may explain why many men inherit hair loss from their fathers.

Two altered regions of DNA on one of the chromosomes that house the genes contribute to a more than sevenfold increased risk of male pattern baldness.

The nature of the variants is still a mystery but one of them may influence male hormone activity through a gene.

Previously the only genetic association with male baldness known was a variant on the female X chromosome. This risk factor is passed down the mother’s side of the family.

It may account for bald men taking after their maternal grandfathers, but baldness is also often passed from father to son. The new discovery could help researchers looking for ways to treat inherited male hair loss.

One of the scientists, Dr Tim Spector, of King’s College London, said: “Early prediction before hair loss starts may lead to some interesting therapies that are more effective than treating late stage hair loss.”

Colleague Dr Brent Richards, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, said: “We’ve only identified a causes. Treating male pattern baldness will require more research. But, of course, the first step in finding a way to treat most conditions is to first identify the cause.”

Two separate international teams led by Dr Spector and Dr Axel Hillmer, from the University of Bonn in Germany, reported similar findings in the journal Nature Genetics.

Male pattern baldness, the most common form, causes hair to be lost in a well-defined pattern beginning above both temples. It results in a distinctive M-shaped hairline.

Estimates suggest that more than 80% of cases of male pattern baldness are hereditary. An estimated 14% of men are thought to carry the two chromosome 20 variants.

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Bald? Here’s who to blame in your family tree

13.10.2008 in HAIR LOSS FACTS, HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

By Lyndsay Moss
Health Correspondent

IT IS one of men’s biggest fears as they age – but a genetic discovery means baldness could be prevented in generations to come.

As their plugholes become clogged and combs grow increasingly redundant, many turn to lotions, potions and surgical remedies to hold back hair loss.

But now researchers have discovered genetic links that explain how baldness can be passed from father to son.

The findings could help lead to treatments to stop men losing their hair, and prevent the resulting mental anguish.

The research, published in the journal Nature Genetics, focuses on detailed studies of men’s genetic make-up.

Until now, the only known genetic link with male baldness was on the female chromosome, meaning it could be passed down to men from their mother’s father.

Estimates suggest more than 80 per cent of cases of male- pattern baldness – which causes the distinctive M-shaped hairline – are inherited.

Dr Tim Spector, from King’s College London, and colleagues in Canada, Iceland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, studied 1,125 Caucasian men, and found inherited baldness was closely linked with genetic variations in two regions of chromosome 20.

The chromosome – one of the bundles of DNA in every cell that contain genes – can be inherited from the mother or the father, meaning baldness is no longer linked solely to the female line of the family.

Researcher Dr Brent Richards, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, said: “It’s long been recognised 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 (female] chromosome, your risk of going bald increases seven-fold.”

The findings were backed by another team, from the University of Bonn in Germany, whose study of 300 men with serious hair loss found a link with the same two genetic variations.

Around 14 per cent of men are believed to carry these two chromosome-20 variants.

It is unclear how the genes may cause baldness, but experts suspect one variant might influence male hormone activity.

There is now hope the findings could help the search for hair-loss treatments.

Dr Spector said: “Early prediction before hair loss starts may lead to some interesting therapies that are more effective than treating late-stage hair loss.”

Dr Richards said so far they had only identified a cause of hair loss.

“Treating male-pattern baldness will require more research,” he said. “But, of course, the first step in finding a way to treat most conditions is to identify the cause.”

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Bald? Here's who to blame in your family tree

13.10.2008 in HAIR LOSS FACTS, HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

By Lyndsay Moss
Health Correspondent

IT IS one of men’s biggest fears as they age – but a genetic discovery means baldness could be prevented in generations to come.

As their plugholes become clogged and combs grow increasingly redundant, many turn to lotions, potions and surgical remedies to hold back hair loss.

But now researchers have discovered genetic links that explain how baldness can be passed from father to son.

The findings could help lead to treatments to stop men losing their hair, and prevent the resulting mental anguish.

The research, published in the journal Nature Genetics, focuses on detailed studies of men’s genetic make-up.

Until now, the only known genetic link with male baldness was on the female chromosome, meaning it could be passed down to men from their mother’s father.

Estimates suggest more than 80 per cent of cases of male- pattern baldness – which causes the distinctive M-shaped hairline – are inherited.

Dr Tim Spector, from King’s College London, and colleagues in Canada, Iceland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, studied 1,125 Caucasian men, and found inherited baldness was closely linked with genetic variations in two regions of chromosome 20.

The chromosome – one of the bundles of DNA in every cell that contain genes – can be inherited from the mother or the father, meaning baldness is no longer linked solely to the female line of the family.

Researcher Dr Brent Richards, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, said: “It’s long been recognised 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 (female] chromosome, your risk of going bald increases seven-fold.”

The findings were backed by another team, from the University of Bonn in Germany, whose study of 300 men with serious hair loss found a link with the same two genetic variations.

Around 14 per cent of men are believed to carry these two chromosome-20 variants.

It is unclear how the genes may cause baldness, but experts suspect one variant might influence male hormone activity.

There is now hope the findings could help the search for hair-loss treatments.

Dr Spector said: “Early prediction before hair loss starts may lead to some interesting therapies that are more effective than treating late-stage hair loss.”

Dr Richards said so far they had only identified a cause of hair loss.

“Treating male-pattern baldness will require more research,” he said. “But, of course, the first step in finding a way to treat most conditions is to identify the cause.”

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Hair loss genes could come from both parents

13.10.2008 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Balding men used to be able to blame their mothers for the genes that led to their hair loss but new research published overnight, points the finger at their fathers.

The finding could lead to new treatments, not only for baldness, but for the other serious health conditions that come with hair loss.

Lisa Millar reports.

LISA MILLAR: Millions suffer from it, billions are spent trying to stop it and yet baldness continues to defy the best efforts of scientists around the world.

Three years ago the first hair loss gene was identified on the X chromosome – suggesting baldness was passed down through the mother’s side of the family.

But now a team of German and Queensland researchers has discovered a new gene that can be inherited from both the mother and the father.

Three hundred balding men were part of the study. The discovery could lead to new treatments.

Dr Roland Kruse from the University of Dusseldorf told the BBC it’s not just about vanity.

DR ROLAND KRUSE: It’s a cosmetic problem but a severe cosmetic problem for a lot of people because it is obvious to everyone if someone loses his hair.

On the other hand, it is known that the male pattern baldness is associated with forms of heart disease; a higher risk for getting heart attacks, so it also has clinical significance in medicine.

LISA MILLAR: Some of the work on baldness has occurred while scientists have been studying other diseases like heart disease and hypertension and insulin resistance in women.

And while women do go bald – it affects around 40 per cent of men.

These results – published in the journal Nature Genetics – reveal that more than one gene is involved in hair loss and explains why there might be similar features between a balding father and his son.

Another study published over the weekend shows that two genetic variants together increase the risk of male baldness sevenfold.

Both studies have put the scientific world a step close to a genetic test for male pattern baldness. Men will be able find out if they’re destined to lose their hair.

But the scientists aren’t offering them any comfort. They’re still a long way off from finding a cure.

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2389157.htm

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