Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Diagnostic Potential in Androgenetic Alopecia: Insights from Multi-Kingdom Sequencing and Machine Learning

May 2025 in “ mSystems ”

Xiaochen Wang, Fengjuan Li, Yangyang Sun, Fan Meng, Yaolin Song, Xiaoquan Su

androgenetic alopecia scalp microbiome dysbiosis bacterial communities fungal communities Microbial Index of Scalp Health MiSCH machine learning microbiome-based diagnostics AGA scalp health index

Studysummary This study discovered that androgenetic alopecia disrupts the scalp microbiome balance across the whole scalp, not just areas with hair loss, and introduced a microbial index for early detection and severity prediction.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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research Scalp Microbiome and Sebum Composition in Japanese Male Individuals with and without Androgenetic Alopecia

4 citations , October 2021 in “Microorganisms”

This study suggests that both the sebum composition and microbial imbalance on the scalp may play a role in the development of androgenetic alopecia among Japanese males.

research Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Self-Esteem in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

15 citations , July 2021 in “JAMA Dermatology”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia is significantly associated with moderate impairment of health-related quality of life and emotions, but not with depressive symptoms.

research Investigation on Microecology of Hair Root Fungi in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

9 citations , June 2019 in “Mycopathologia”

This study found that the presence of Malassezia fungi in the scalp's hairy roots was more pronounced in individuals with androgenetic alopecia than in healthy controls, suggesting a potential link to the condition.

research Microbiome in the Hair Follicle of Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

26 citations , May 2019 in “PLOS ONE”

This study observed that hair follicles in hair loss patients had increased levels of Propionibacterium acnes, potentially linked to elevated immune response gene expression in miniaturized hair follicles.

research Dissection of Genetic Variation and Evidence for Pleiotropy in Male Pattern Baldness

58 citations , December 2018 in “Nature Communications”

This study found that male pattern baldness in European males is strongly heritable and associated with genetic markers linked to earlier puberty, bone density, and pancreatic function.

research Comparison of Healthy and Dandruff Scalp Microbiome Reveals the Role of Commensals in Scalp Health

65 citations , October 2018 in “Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology”

This study observed that dandruff in Indian women is associated with a distinct scalp microbiome, including specific bacterial and unknown Malassezia species, with implications for nutrient homeostasis and cell-host adhesion pathways.

research The Contribution of Endogenous and Exogenous Factors to Male Alopecia

37 citations , April 2013 in “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery”

This study found that environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and testosterone levels may significantly influence various forms of hair loss in male identical twins.

research The Association of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome in Early Androgenetic Alopecia

18 citations , December 2010 in “PubMed”

This study found that early androgenic alopecia patients showed increased prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, suggesting they should be monitored for coronary artery disease over the long term.

research Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities

126 citations , January 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in Chinese men and women was lower than in Caucasians and similar to that in Koreans.

research Prevalence and Types of Androgenetic Alopecia in Shanghai, China: A Community-Based Study

66 citations , February 2009 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in Chinese men was lower than in Caucasian men, similar to Korean men, and most commonly presented as type III vertex.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the historical developments in understanding and treating male pattern hair loss, emphasizing the role of dihydrotestosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors, but reports no new clinical findings.

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.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Men Aged 40-69 Years: Prevalence and Risk Factors

155 citations , December 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, the researchers did not confirm previously reported links between AGA and smoking or benign prostatic hypertrophy, but found potential associations with alcohol consumption and lean body mass at age 21 that merit further investigation.

research Current and Novel Methods for Assessing Efficacy of Hair Growth Promoters in Pattern Hair Loss

86 citations , February 2003 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article discusses various mechanisms for promoting hair growth in pattern hair loss and highlights the challenge of balancing short-term measurable results in trials with the need for long-term efficacy data.

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

239 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This review explores the role of nutritional factors in hair loss, noting that iron and l-lysine supplementation may benefit some individuals, while excessive supplements can lead to hair shedding.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the biologic and psychosocial significance of hair, the current limitations in hair growth drugs, and anticipates future therapies based on advancing hair follicle research.

research Guidelines of Care for Androgenetic Alopecia

37 citations , September 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Treat genetic hair loss early with FDA-approved medications and consider hair transplantation.