A Review of Genetic Research on Androgenic Alopecia

The document, from 6 years ago, reviewed genetic research on androgenic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern baldness. AGA is a common type of hair loss that usually occurs after puberty, characterized by a receding hairline or diffuse thinning of hair on the scalp. It affects both sexes, but is more prevalent in males, with 50% of men experiencing AGA by the age of 50, and the prevalence increasing to 70% with age. The document noted that while hair loss does not cause physical symptoms, it can have significant psychological impacts, including loss of confidence and feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and depression. The primary genetic susceptibility factors for AGA were identified as the androgen receptor (AR) gene and the ectodysplasim-A2 receptor (EDA2R) gene on the X chromosome, and a related locus on chromosome 20p11. However, these genetic factors only account for 13.7% of the genetic variation in AGA, suggesting that many other genetic factors remain to be discovered.