2008 Woodie Awards
Science Briefs
Alexander Tingey
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Health
- Page 1 of 1
Tired of pulling out your hair? Study finds genetic cause
Trichotillomania, a psychological disorder which drives an individual to compulsively pull out their hair, eyelashes and eyebrows affects approximately 3 to 5 percent of the American population. Appearing in early adolescence, 'trich' can wreck havoc with a young person's self-esteem. There is good news, however; researchers at Duke University have found that trich may be brought on by a genetic mutation.
"This is an important first in understanding the genetics of not only trichotillomania but any disorder where people have unwanted behaviors that they can't control," said Dr. Allison Ashley-Koch, the study's author and a researcher at the Duke University Center for Human Genetics.
When research began, experts focused in on a gene known as SLITRK1. They believe this gene is also connected with a related impulse control disorder: Tourette's syndrome. While their research focused on 44 families, experts found that mutated SLITRK1 genes accounted for nearly 5 percent of cases where trich was present.
The mutation in question has some serious roots, as this gene is involved in the formation of connective tissues between brain cells. One of the research's main goals is raising the awareness that these people aren't crazy, but rather, the result of a biological hiccup. This, researchers hope, will raise the self-esteem of those afflicted with trich, and help to treat this.
Trichotillomania, a psychological disorder which drives an individual to compulsively pull out their hair, eyelashes and eyebrows affects approximately 3 to 5 percent of the American population. Appearing in early adolescence, 'trich' can wreck havoc with a young person's self-esteem. There is good news, however; researchers at Duke University have found that trich may be brought on by a genetic mutation.
"This is an important first in understanding the genetics of not only trichotillomania but any disorder where people have unwanted behaviors that they can't control," said Dr. Allison Ashley-Koch, the study's author and a researcher at the Duke University Center for Human Genetics.
When research began, experts focused in on a gene known as SLITRK1. They believe this gene is also connected with a related impulse control disorder: Tourette's syndrome. While their research focused on 44 families, experts found that mutated SLITRK1 genes accounted for nearly 5 percent of cases where trich was present.
The mutation in question has some serious roots, as this gene is involved in the formation of connective tissues between brain cells. One of the research's main goals is raising the awareness that these people aren't crazy, but rather, the result of a biological hiccup. This, researchers hope, will raise the self-esteem of those afflicted with trich, and help to treat this.
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