Alopecia Areata Gene?

Dr you responded to one of my questions suggesting that I get tested for the alopecia areata gene…i contacted the naaf & the person i spoke with said she is not aware if testing for the gene is possible, can you tell me if you know otherwise and where i can get this testing done?

Angela Christiano, a researcher at Columbia University, studied alopecia areata and alopecia totalis in populations of families. She found genetic evidence that made people prone to this disease. I found this article in the Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology, Alopecia areata: current state of knowledge, which could be another starting point for your research. Here is an abstract of the article:

Blaumeiser B РJ Am Acad Dermatol Р01-APR-2006; 54(4): 627-32, From NIH/NLM MEDLINE, NLM Citation ID: 16546583 (PubMed) Full Source Title: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. bettina.blaumeiser@ua.ac.be Authors: Blaumeiser B; van der Goot I; Fimmers R; Hanneken S; Ritzmann S; Seymons K; Betz RC; Ruzicka T; Wienker TF; De Weert J; Lambert J; Kruse R; N̦then MM

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Familial aggregation of alopecia areata (AA) has been previously described, but systematic studies with information obtained directly from family members have yet to be undertaken. OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the pattern of familial aggregation of AA by assessing the affection status of patients’ relatives. The study included 206 index patients with a total of 1029 first-degree and 2625 second-degree relatives. METHODS: First-degree relatives were directly interviewed, whereas information on second-degree relatives was obtained by interviewing the index patients and their first-degree relatives. RESULTS: Estimated lifetime risks were 7.1% in siblings, 7.8% in parents, and 5.7% in offspring. The risk in second-degree relatives was slightly higher than the reported population risk. Age at onset in index patients and first-degree relatives was significantly correlated. LIMITATIONS: Using patients drawn from specialized hair clinics may have produced results showing a higher proportion of early onset and severe cases. CONCLUSION: The familial aggregation of AA supports the role of genetic factors in the development of the disease. In addition, our data indicate genetic factors might contribute to the age at onset of AA.

For a Complete Review, you might locate the following article: Alopecia areata: current state of knowledge. Norris D – J Am Acad Dermatol – 01-JUL-2004; 51(1 Suppl): S16-7 From NIH/NLM MEDLINE Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.