From 3 to 5 percent of population is affected with the problem of compulsive hair-pulling disorder also called trichotillomania.
Usually, this kind of problem is believed to be caused by mental disorders like anxiety, depression and Tourette syndrome. A new finding is this regard has been made.
The study found a genetic link to hair-pulling disorder as a gene found SLITRK1 gene responsible for developing link between neurons which are the brain cells and mutations in gene lead to develop defective links in turn, causing trichotillomania. But these mutations take place in small proportions as in this compulsive hair-pulling disorder.
The genetic cause for trichotillomania may led to development of new therapies, thereby limiting its connection to be related with mental disorder.
Therefore, more research work required to find out the accurate connection of genes linked to the disease, paving way for new treatments in this regard.
Via: earthtimes