More than 200 baldness-linked genetic markers identified

New Delhi: Scientists have found more than 200 new genetic regions linked with male pattern baldness. Before this new study, led by researchers at University of Edinburgh in the UK, only a handful of genes related to baldness had been identified.

The scientists examined genomic and health data from over 52,000 male participants of the UK Biobank, performing a genome-wide association study of baldness.

They pinpointed 287 genetic regions linked to this common but potentially embarrassing condition which could be used to predict a man's chance of severe hair loss.

The researchers created a formula to try and predict the chance that a person will go bald, based on the presence or absence of certain genetic markers.

Accurate predictions for an individual are still some way off, but the results can help to identify sub-groups of the population for which the risk of hair loss is much higher.

The study is the largest genetic analysis of male pattern baldness to date.

(With PTI inputs)