TLDR Hair analysis could help diagnose and treat schizophrenia more effectively.
The review discusses the potential of hair as a non-invasive matrix for biomarker analysis in schizophrenia (SCZ), offering advantages like long-term data retention and ease of sampling compared to traditional matrices such as blood and urine. Hair analysis can detect trace elements, drugs, antipsychotics, cortisol, neurotransmitters, and gene expression, providing insights into SCZ pathophysiology and substance abuse. Despite challenges like individual variability and methodological inconsistencies, hair analysis shows promise for personalized medicine in SCZ. The review emphasizes the need for further research to establish robust biomarkers and standardized protocols to enhance diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and understanding of SCZ.
February 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Hair loss in Androgenetic Alopecia is caused by genetics, aging, and lifestyle, leading to hair follicle shrinkage and related health risks.
50 citations
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November 2020 in “Physiology & behavior” People with depression often have higher hair cortisol levels, while those with PTSD tend to have lower levels, but more research is needed to understand this fully.
12 citations
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January 2020 in “Analyst” Researchers found markers that can tell if hair has been bleached, which could improve hair test accuracy.
36 citations
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January 2018 in “Scientific reports” Eating glucoraphanin can help prevent psychosis in offspring whose mothers had immune system activation.
198 citations
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June 2013 in “Molecular psychiatry” Schizophrenia patients' stem cells show abnormal neuron development and mitochondrial issues.
17 citations
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May 2007 in “Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology” Clozapine levels in hair reflect dosage and bind more to pigmented hair.
October 2023 in “Scientific Reports” Oxytocin may help hair grow by increasing hair growth-related genes and factors.
5 citations
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January 2023 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Hair follicles could be used to noninvasively monitor our body's internal clock and help identify risks for related diseases.
45 citations
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May 2022 in “Biomedicines” Analyzing follicular fluid can help predict and improve outcomes for women with PCOS undergoing fertility treatments.
26 citations
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October 2020 in “Biomedicines” Bioengineered skin models help reduce animal testing and advance research in cosmetics and skin disease.
February 2026 in “Frontiers in Immunology” Skin diseases like acne and psoriasis are linked to stress, gut health, and inflammation, with new treatments focusing on gut and mind-body approaches.
