Neuroendocrine Perspectives in Alopecia Areata: Does Stress Play a Role?

May 2009 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Ralf Paus, Petra Arck

alopecia areata psychoemotional stress hair follicle regression neurogenic inflammation corticotropin-releasing hormone substance P hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis HPA axis neuroendocrinological research neuroimmunological research inflammatory skin diseases AA stress hair loss CRH skin inflammation

Studysummary This research highlights that psychological stress can adversely affect hair growth in mice, implicating potential pathways that may be relevant in understanding stress-induced hair growth inhibition in humans.

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research The C3H/HeJ Mouse and DEBR Rat Models for Alopecia Areata: Review of Preclinical Drug Screening Approaches and Results

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This study reports that C3H/HeJ mice and DEBR rats serve as effective models for screening potential treatments for human alopecia areata, despite certain challenges in predictability and cost.

research Probing the Effects of Stress Mediators on the Human Hair Follicle

159 citations , November 2007 in “American Journal of Pathology”

In this study, researchers found that substance P triggered premature catagen development and immune changes in human scalp hair follicles, providing a possible biological link between stress and hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium and alopecia areata.

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

286 citations , August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This review examines the interplay of genetics and neuroimmunology in alopecia areata, highlighting its potential to inform broader autoimmunity research, but reports no new findings.

research Foot Shock Stress Prolongs the Telogen Stage of the Spontaneous Hair Cycle in a Non-Depilated Mouse Model

31 citations , April 2007 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that foot shock stress prolonged the telogen stage and delayed anagen induction in the hair cycle of non-depilated mice, potentially through stress-induced actions of substance P.

research Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage

375 citations , July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This review discusses the brain-skin connection, the skin's role in stress response, and highlights unmet challenges in understanding stress-induced skin inflammation but reports no new experimental findings.

research Hair Growth Inhibition by Psychoemotional Stress: A Mouse Model for Neural Mechanisms in Hair Growth Control

127 citations , December 2005 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study provides evidence that psychoemotional stress inhibits hair growth in mice by affecting the brain-hair follicle axis, with specific neuropeptides and treatments modulating this effect.

research Neuroimmunoendocrine Circuitry of the Brain-Skin Connection

293 citations , November 2005 in “Trends in Immunology”

This study indicates that stress in mice recruits specific neuroimmunoendocrine elements, leading to neurogenic skin inflammation that inhibits hair growth and highlights the skin's role in stress response research.

research Human Hair Follicles Display a Functional Equivalent of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Synthesize Cortisol

489 citations , June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that human scalp hair follicles can respond to corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation similarly to the classical HPA axis, including up-regulating cortisol production and activating neuroendocrine feedback loops.

Control of Human Hair Growth by Neurotrophins: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Inhibits Hair Shaft Elongation, Induces Catagen, and Stimulates Follicular Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 Expression

research Control of Human Hair Growth by Neurotrophins: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Inhibits Hair Shaft Elongation, Induces Catagen, and Stimulates Follicular Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 Expression

64 citations , March 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) inhibited hair shaft elongation and induced premature catagen development in cultured human hair follicles, partially through transforming growth factor β2.

research Mast Cell Deficient and Neurokinin-1 Receptor Knockout Mice Are Protected from Stress-Induced Hair Growth Inhibition

76 citations , March 2005 in “Journal of Molecular Medicine”

This study found that premature hair loss due to stress does not occur in NK-1 receptor knockout or mast cell deficient mice, suggesting a key role for neurokinin substance P and mast cell interaction in stress-related hair follicle changes.

research Burden of Hair Loss: Stress and the Underestimated Psychosocial Impact of Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia

162 citations , August 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that stress negatively affects hair growth by inducing inflammation and early hair cycle transitions in mice, which might inform strategies for managing stress-related hair loss in humans.

Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

research Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

194 citations , March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology”

This study found that psychoemotional stress disrupts hair growth in mice by terminating anagen and suggests a potential pathway for pharmacological management of stress-related hair loss in humans.

Indications for a Brain-Hair Follicle Axis: Inhibition of Keratinocyte Proliferation and Up-Regulation of Keratinocyte Apoptosis in Telogen Hair Follicles by Stress and Substance P

research Indications for a Brain-Hair Follicle Axis: Inhibition of Keratinocyte Proliferation and Up-Regulation of Keratinocyte Apoptosis in Telogen Hair Follicles by Stress and Substance P

125 citations , September 2001 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study demonstrated that stress inhibited hair growth in mice, likely through substance P-dependent activation of immune cells, highlighting a brain-hair follicle connection.