Baldness Genes Discovered

A team of international scientists has found a cause for male-pattern baldness - a genetic mutation that increases the risk sevenfold.

In a study of 1,125 men of European descent, researchers found a genetic variation on chromosome 20 that increased the risk of male pattern baldness.

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

The study included only Caucasian men, though the researchers presume male-pattern baldness is caused by the same genetic variations in other men as well.

The findings do not yet represent a treatment or a cure for male pattern baldness.

Further studies will be needed to find a cure or a preventative treatment.

The study, published by the journal Nature Genetics, was carried out by a multinational team from Britain, Iceland, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

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