Evaluation of DNA Variants Associated with Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Potential to Predict Male Pattern Baldness

May 2015 in “ PLOS ONE ”

Magdalena Marcińska, Ewa Pośpiech, Sarah Abidi, Jeppe R. Andersen, M. van den Berge, Angel Carracedo, Mayra Eduardoff, Anna Marczakiewicz-Lustig, Niels Morling, Titia Sijen, Małgorzata Skowron, Jens Söchtig, Denise Syndercombe-Court, Natalie Weiler, Peter Schneider, David J. Ballard, Claus Børsting, Walther Parson, Chris Phillips, Wojciech Branicki

androgenetic alopecia male pattern baldness MPB genetic loci risk alleles genotype risk score 20-SNP prediction model Norwood-Hamilton grades early onset alopecia later onset alopecia baldness genetic risk score prediction model Norwood-Hamilton scale

Studysummary This study found that a genetic test using 5 to 20 SNPs can predict male pattern baldness with variable accuracy in European men, especially those aged 50 and older.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This study evaluated the potential of DNA variants to predict male pattern baldness (MPB) and identified multiple genetic loci with small individual effects that contribute to the overall risk of developing MPB. The study found that individuals carrying seven or more MPB risk alleles are significantly more susceptible to MPB, and a genotype risk score calculated from the combined weighted number of risk alleles for these loci shows males with the highest genotype scores have a three-fold increased MPB risk. The study also developed a 20-SNP prediction model that achieved an overall correct prediction rate of 88.5% for 65% threshold, with the highest level of correct predictions recorded for males with Norwood-Hamilton V-VII grades of baldness. The study suggests that MPB is a heterogeneous phenotype and early onset and later onset alopecia could have different genetic backgrounds.

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