Dads can pass on baldness genes

Oct 2008

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.

Despite billions of dollars being spent trying to counter its effects, 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 Queensland and German 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.

"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," he said.

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

Some of the work on baldness has occurred while scientists have been studying other diseases like heart disease and hypertension and insulin resistence 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 seven-fold.

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 are destined to lose their hair.

But the scientists are not offering them any comfort. They are still a long off from finding a cure.