Genetic Basis of Male Pattern Baldness

December 2003 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Andrew C. Heath, Dale R. Nyholt, Nathan A. Gillespie, Nicholas G. Martin

male pattern baldness androgen receptor AR gene genetic factors hereditary patterns prostatic disorders cardiovascular disease insulin resistance MPB

TLDR Male pattern baldness is largely genetic, linked to the androgen receptor gene, and may relate to certain health issues.

The study on male pattern baldness (MPB) used data from 476 monozygotic and 408 dizygotic male twin pairs, aged 25-36, and found that genetic factors played a significant role, with a heritability of 81%. It identified a strong association between a polymorphism near the androgen receptor (AR) gene and MPB, though the AR gene alone did not fully explain hereditary patterns, indicating other genes were involved. The research suggested a link between MPB and health conditions like prostatic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. It emphasized the psychosocial impact of MPB, especially in younger men, and called for further studies to explore genetic and environmental factors, particularly in older populations.

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Research cited in this study

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research Polymorphism of the Androgen Receptor Gene Is Associated with Male Pattern Baldness

299 citations , March 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Early Androgenetic Alopecia as a Marker of Insulin Resistance

115 citations , September 2000 in “The Lancet”

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research Genetic Analysis of Male Pattern Baldness and the 5α-Reductase Genes

169 citations , June 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

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research Association of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Male Pattern Baldness

54 citations , May 1998 in “Urology”

Men with enlarged prostates often have more severe baldness.

research Effects of Self-Perceived Hair Loss in a Community Sample of Men

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Men who think they are losing hair feel worse about themselves, especially if they are younger.

research Diseases of the Hair and Scalp

189 citations , May 1991 in “Medical Entomology and Zoology”

research The Inheritance Of Common Baldness: To Be Or Not To Be?

203 citations , November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Common baldness is likely inherited through multiple genes, not just one.

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