Research Expands Potential Future Treatment Options for Male Pattern Baldness

According to a recent study published in the Journal PLOS Genetics and reported by WebMD, a group of researchers in Scotland have successfully found 287 genetic “coding regions” linked to severe hair loss in men. Researchers performed genetic analysis of 52,000 subjects, ages 40-69, making this the largest study of its type to date.

Advanced Treatment Options for Male Pattern Baldness Might Be Increased Through New Genetic Insight

Of subjects in this study with a top 10% score for polygenic coding regions, 58% reported moderate-to-severe hair loss. These findings don’t imply a cure for male baldness, but they do provide information about genetic predisposition for baldness.

Also interesting is the fact that a substantial proportion of the 287 coding regions linked to baldness were found on the autosomes—the numbered chromosomes 1-22—but 40 of them were on the X chromosome—the chromosome that comes from your mother.

The coding region for the androgen receptor is one of the most important genes found on the X chromosome, which seems to be most relevant for early-onset male pattern baldness. This means that it’s not completely your mother’s fault if you go bald, but genetic inheritance from her may be responsible for the early-onset type.

As we’ve noted on the Limmer blog, male-pattern baldness involves a complex collection of genetic factors. This pre-disposition isn’t inherited entirely from either parent. Still, it’s fascinating to see studies like this one adding evidence to the idea of a significant link between a particular form of male pattern baldness (early onset) and genetic inheritance from the mother.

The next time you hear someone talking about baldness being inherited from the mother, remember this study—remember this blog. You might even consider replying, “There’s some evidence for it, but male-pattern baldness is way more complicated than that. I saw this one study on the Limmer blog…”

When Will We See New Treatment Options for Male Pattern Baldness?

So what does the study mean for men suffering from thinning hair? Unfortunately, not much right now. The real value of the findings lies in their hope for the future. Future treatments might not materialize for quite some time but, ideally, such treatments would target specific genes identified in the study linked to hair structure and development. The immediate advantage of the study’s findings is that they “…pave the way for an improved understanding of the genetic causes of hair loss.”

Treatment Options for Male Pattern Baldness Right Now

While these findings can give hope to hair loss sufferers that a treatment may someday be developed to rid the world of male pattern baldness, what if you’re suffering from male pattern baldness right now?

Don’t hope and pray for a miracle hair-loss treatment that might not materialize for decades. At Limmer Hair Transplant Center, there’s plenty of reason for optimism right now.

Depending on your individual needs, a personalized treatment plan may help you regrow your hair and keep your existing hair as healthy as possible. As with any medical procedure, results can vary significantly from one patient to the next, but results will always be natural looking. We guarantee it.

At Limmer, many of our patients come away from their procedure feeling less self-conscious and more confident. Contact Limmer Hair Transplant Clinic, San Antonio, today for a consultation and let’s talk about what life-changing hair restoration results we might be able to achieve for you.