Biomedical researchers make alopecia discovery
Friday 2nd July 2010
A team of biomedical researchers have made a discovery concerning a form of hair loss.
The experts, who were from the Columbia University Medical Centre, found that eight genes are linked to alopecia areata.
Led by professor of dermatology Angela Christiano, the scientists noted it may be possible to predict which patients will suffer more severe forms of the condition.
In addition, they hope their work - which was published in the journal Nature - will lead to the development of drugs that target the autoimmune disorder.
Professor Christiano remarked: "Finally, we have the possibility of developing drugs that specifically target the mechanism behind the disease."
According to the NHS, alopecia areata is suffered by around one-in-100 people and is more common in teenagers and young adults than other age groups.
One person to have had the problem is celebrity Gail Porter, whose tresses recently began to reappear after five years of baldness.
Written by Megan Smith
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