RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Genetic Prediction of Male Pattern Baldness JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 072306 DO 10.1101/072306 A1 Saskia P Hagenaars A1 W David Hill A1 Sarah E Harris A1 Stuart J Ritchie A1 Gail Davies A1 David C Liewald A1 Catharine R Gale A1 David J Porteous A1 Ian J Deary A1 Riccardo E Marioni YR 2016 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/08/31/072306.abstract AB Male pattern baldness can have substantial psychosocial effects, and it has been phenotypically linked to adverse health outcomes such as prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. We explored the genetic architecture of the trait using data from over 52,000 male participants of UK Biobank, aged 40-69 years. We identified over 250 independent novel genetic loci associated with severe hair loss. By developing a prediction algorithm based entirely on common genetic variants, and applying it to an independent sample, we could discriminate accurately (AUC = 0.82) between those with no hair loss from those with severe hair loss. The results of this study might help identify those at the greatest risk of hair loss and also potential genetic targets for intervention.