More than 200 baldness pattern linked to genetic markers were found. From only eight know genetic markers, there are now more or less 280 of them.
A new study conducted in England, UK has found 200 plus new genetic markers related to male pattern baldness. Live Science has reported that the study also found out that they can use the genetic markers to predict if a man will have a severe hair loss in the future or not. However, they explained that it is applicable to a large group than to an individual.
The study was published in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Genetics. The UK team studied the genes of 52,000 men, mostly middle-aged ranging from 40-69 year old. In the study, the men in Biobank said 32% had no hair loss. Only 23% had slight hair loss while 27 percent had moderate hair loss and 18 percent had severe hair loss. "In this large genome-wide association study of male pattern baldness, we identified 287 independent genetic signals that were linked to differences in the trait," Riccardo Marioni and colleagues at the University of Edinburgh wrote.
According to Medical Xpress, there were many surprising facts that were discovered because of the study. Most of the genetic markers found for the male pattern baldness were from the mothers of the men. It is the X chromosome that holds many of it, explained Saskia Hagenaars and W. David Hill of The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The data collected for the study were only of hair loss pattern. The age of start of the baldness were not included, Hill also elaborated. Researchers were expecting to witness even stronger genetic marker if the age was identified, Hill explained.
There are still more to discover and learn about the male pattern baldness, researchers said. Though this finding is definitely a step closer, there is still a long way to go.
