Androgenetic Alopecia: New Insights Into the Pathogenesis and Mechanism of Hair Loss

August 2015 in “ F1000Research ”

Rodney Sinclair, Niloufar Torkamani, Leslie Jones

androgenetic alopecia arrector pili muscle hair follicle follicle cycling dermal papilla dermal sheath diffuse hair loss patterned baldness AGA APM

TLDR New model shows muscle affects hair loss differently in men and women.

This scientific paper from 7 years ago discusses androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a type of hair loss that affects both men and women. The paper proposes a new model for AGA, in which the arrector pili muscle (APM) plays a significant role in maintaining hair follicle integrity. The paper also discusses the role of follicle cycling and the movement of cells between the dermal papilla and dermal sheath in AGA. The paper concludes that computer generated 3D reconstructions of the arrector pili muscle have helped explain why women with AGA experience diffuse hair loss rather than the patterned baldness seen in men.

View this study on f1000research.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

11 / 11 results

research Hair Shedding in Women: How Much Is Too Much?

32 citations , August 2015 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

The hair shedding scale accurately identifies abnormal hair shedding in women with long hair, with grades 5 and 6 indicating excessive shedding.

research Destruction of the Arrector Pili Muscle and Fat Infiltration in Androgenic Alopecia

35 citations , June 2014 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss in male pattern baldness involves muscle degeneration and increased scalp fat.

research Beyond Goosebumps: Does the Arrector Pili Muscle Have a Role in Hair Loss?

31 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

The arrector pili muscle might play a role in hair loss and needs more research to understand its impact.

research Miniaturized Hairs Maintain Contact With the Arrector Pili Muscle in Alopecia Areata but Not in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Model for Reversible Miniaturization and Potential for Hair Regrowth

22 citations , July 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Miniaturized hairs stay connected to muscle in alopecia areata, allowing possible regrowth, but not in androgenetic alopecia.

research Single Follicular Unit Transplantation Reconstructs Arrector Pili Muscle and Nerve Connections and Restores Functional Hair Follicle Piloerection

13 citations , March 2012 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Hair transplant surgery can rebuild muscle and nerve connections, allowing transplanted hairs to stand up like normal hairs.

research The Ludwig Pattern of Androgenetic Alopecia Is Due to a Hierarchy of Androgen Sensitivity Within Follicular Units That Leads to Selective Miniaturization and a Reduction in the Number of Terminal Hairs Per Follicular Unit

47 citations , December 2008 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Ludwig pattern hair loss in women results from varying sensitivity in hair follicles, causing fewer visible hairs.

research Follicular Miniaturization in Female Pattern Hair Loss: Clinicopathological Correlations

100 citations , November 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss severity relates to increased miniaturization in female pattern hair loss.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations , December 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

research The Reliability of Horizontally Sectioned Scalp Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss in Women

137 citations , August 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies are more reliable for diagnosing hair loss in women when three samples are taken instead of one.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapy

174 citations , November 2002 in “Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine”

Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations , September 1998 in “BMJ”

Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.

6 / 6 results

research Hair Follicle-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Decrease Alopecia Areata Mouse Hair Loss and Reduce Inflammation Around the Hair Follicle

11 citations , October 2021 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

Hair follicle stem cells reduced hair loss and inflammation in mice with a condition similar to human alopecia.

research Role of Vitamin D in Hair Loss: A Short Review

14 citations , September 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Low vitamin D levels are linked to various types of hair loss, but more research is needed before using it as a treatment.

research Vitamin D Status in Scarring and Nonscarring Alopecia

13 citations , August 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

People with certain types of hair loss, especially lichen planopilaris and telogen effluvium, as well as African Americans, Asians, and men, are more likely to have severe vitamin D deficiency.

research The Role of Vitamin D in Non-Scarring Alopecia

32 citations , December 2017 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Low vitamin D might be linked to certain types of hair loss, and supplements could help, but more research is needed.

research Miniaturized Hairs Maintain Contact With the Arrector Pili Muscle in Alopecia Areata but Not in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Model for Reversible Miniaturization and Potential for Hair Regrowth

22 citations , July 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Miniaturized hairs stay connected to muscle in alopecia areata, allowing possible regrowth, but not in androgenetic alopecia.

research Comparison of Alopecia Areata in Human and Nonhuman Mammalian Species

71 citations , January 1998 in “Pathobiology”

The document concludes that certain rats and mice are useful for studying hair loss in humans and testing treatments.