A Hair-Raising History of Alopecia Areata

The document from 2020 provided a comprehensive historical overview of the understanding, research, and treatment of alopecia areata (AA), a condition causing hair loss. It traced the evolution of AA research from the first known record in 1500 BCE to the identification of hair follicle "immune privilege" in 1971, and the development of animal models for AA research in the 1990s. The document also highlighted significant advancements in AA research, with the number of publications on AA growing from 15 per year in the 1950s to around 170 per year in the 2010s. Key findings included the identification of hair follicle-specific autoantibodies in AA patients, the role of T cells in AA, and the potential role of miRNAs in AA pathogenesis. The document also outlined various treatments for AA throughout history, from ancient remedies to modern treatments like JAK inhibitors. Theories of AA pathogenesis evolved over time, with the most recent considering AA as an autoimmune disorder.