Neural Mechanisms of Hair Growth Control

The document from 1997 explores the neural mechanisms that may influence hair growth, particularly in mice. It suggests that hair follicles undergo changes in innervation during different hair cycle phases and that they can both produce and respond to neurotrophins. The study indicates that neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, such as substance P and ACTH, can induce hair growth phases when applied to mouse skin. Additionally, it was found that neurotoxic agents like capsaicin can affect the hair cycle, potentially causing hair loss, which may be relevant to stress-induced alopecia. The presence of nerve fibers and their interaction with mast cells also appears to be significant in hair cycle regulation. While the document highlights the potential of neural mechanisms in controlling hair growth and suggests that this could lead to new treatments for hair growth disorders, it also calls for more research to understand the implications for human hair loss conditions. The number of mice used in the study is not specified.