TLDR Alopecia areata involves immune system imbalances that may lead to depression and anxiety.
The study concluded that alopecia areata (AA) was associated with dysregulation in systemic type 17 and type 2 cytokines, including elevated levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-23, IL-33, IL-31, and IL-17E/25. This cytokine imbalance might contribute to the psychological morbidity, such as depression and anxiety, observed in AA patients. Specifically, IL-22 and IL-17E levels were positively correlated with depression scores. The study, which included 39 AA patients, suggested that therapeutic strategies should address the underlying immune dysregulation rather than focusing solely on the CD8+ T cell response.
130 citations,
February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Tofacitinib may help treat severe hair loss, but more research is needed.
238 citations,
November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Tofacitinib is effective and safe for severe hair loss, but full regrowth is less likely after 10 years of hair loss.
196 citations,
September 2016 in “JCI insight” Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.
68 citations,
November 2015 in “The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology” Blocking IL-12/IL-23p40 helped reverse severe hair loss in patients.
176 citations,
August 2015 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology” Alopecia areata involves immune activation in the scalp, suggesting treatments targeting TH1, TH2, and IL-23 pathways.
701 citations,
August 2014 in “Nature medicine” Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.
391 citations,
January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.
125 citations,
September 2001 in “The FASEB Journal” Stress can cause hair loss by negatively affecting hair follicles and this effect might be reversed with specific treatments.
57 citations,
April 2019 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Alopecia areata involves immune system imbalances that may lead to depression and anxiety.
