Melanin-Related Diseases
Some of the medical conditions are linked with melanin:
– Albinism: The most common type is oculocutaneous albinism type 2. It is characterized by an absence or reduction of melanin in the eyes, skin, and hair. Yellow oculocutaneous albinism is another common kind. It causes white skin and white hair at birth, but normal pigmentation would develop once they reach childhood and infancy.
– Neurodegenerative disorders: A lack of neuromelanin in certain brain areas could lead to Parkinson’s disease.
– Deafness: Waardenburg’s syndrome is characterized by deafness and the loss of pigmentation.
– Nicotine dependence: Nicotine is a precursor for the synthesis of melanin. Thus, people with dark skin tones tend to be more dependent on nicotine.[4]
