Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

The study conducted a genomewide scan involving 20 families with 102 affected and 118 unaffected individuals to identify genetic susceptibility loci for alopecia areata (AA). It found evidence of several loci on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18, with a notable maximum LOD score of 3.93 on chromosome 18. The research confirmed previous associations with the human leukocyte antigen locus and suggested that regions on chromosomes 16 and 18 might harbor genes related to skin and hair disorders. The study highlighted the complexity of AA's genetic basis and the need for further investigation to fully understand the genetic factors contributing to this autoimmune disease.