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Hair Loss Advisor

Genetics and Hair Loss

Summary & Participants

You've probably heard people say that hair loss is passed down to men through their mother's side, or to women from their father's side, or you've heard other such genetic theories about how hair loss is inherited. But how much real science is there behind these claims? With advances in genetic research, scientists have gained new tools with which to learn about the genetics of hair loss. What have they discovered so far and what are the possible benefits of this research for hair loss patients? Join our webcast as we discuss hair loss and genetics.

Medically Reviewed On: June 19, 2008

Webcast Transcript

DAVID FOLK THOMAS:  Welcome to our webcast.  I'm David Folk Thomas.  You've probably heard people say that hair loss is passed down to men through their mother's side or to women from their father's side and other such genetic theories about how hair loss is inherited.  But how much real science is there behind these claims?  Well, with advances in genetic research, scientists have gained new tools with which to learn about the genetics of loss.  What have they discovered so far and what are the possible benefits of this research to hair loss patients?

Here to talk about the state of hair loss genetics are two experts.  To my left is Dr. Angela Christiano.  She's an associate professor of dermatology and genetics at Columbia University, and  to Angela's left is Dr. Animesh Sinha, he's an assistant professor in the department of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Hospital. Thank you both for joining us.

Let me start with you, Angela.  Can you tell me some of the ways researchers are studying the relationship between genetics and hair loss?

ANGELA CHRISTIANO, PhD:  Sure.  I think the past few years have really been a renaissance in studying genetics and hair.  For a long time there really was no meaningful way to approach hair loss from the genetic standpoint, and in recent years several groups around the world have started taking a very simple -- what's called a "single gene" -- approach, looking at hair loss sort of one gene at a time, starting first with rare forms of hair loss in isolated families around the world using the techniques of genetics that we've mastered up to now.  The challenge going forward is to be able to look at more complex forms of genetic hair loss, like male pattern baldness, and this will involve looking at several genes at one time.  So we're just at the cusp now of trying to look at the more common forms of hair loss using the tools of genetics as they become available.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS:  Now, you say this is all fairly new.  In the past, wasn't it like you thought people went bald because it was genetics, so why is it just now becoming something that they can study genetically, if you will?

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