Researchers have announced the discovery of a gene which could cause hair to thin, with the hairloss beginning in childhood.
The team from Columbia University say that the gene, called APXDD1, is linked to a condition known as hereditary hypotrichosis simplex, characterised by thinning hair. They are now hopeful that the discovery could lead to a cure for hair loss.
The lead researcher on the study, Dr. Angela Christiano, believes that by studying how the gene leads to the miniaturisation of the hair follicles scientists could begin to better understand the process that leads to male pattern hairloss.
Christiano and her team studied two Pakistani families and one Italian family, who all had inherited the condition. They were able to map the shared gene which lead to the condition, causing them to grow ‘peach fuzz’ hair.
She pointed out that both hereditary hypotrichosis simplex and male pattern baldness share a physiological process, but the discovery of the gene does not necessarily mean that they will ever understand the complexities of male pattern baldness.
While the Columbia team seek to understand what causes baldness, another group of scientists in Tokyo are trying to find a gene which could aid hair retention.