Do Androgens Really Play a Major Role in the Pathophysiology of Androgenetic Alopecia?

The paper "Do androgens really play a major role in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia?" by Ademir Carvalho Leite Jr discusses the role of androgens in the development and progression of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). While androgens have traditionally been considered a major factor in AGA, the author notes that recent studies show a decrease in serum androgen levels in the general population, even as the severity of AGA has increased. The paper suggests that other factors, such as the Wnt/B-catenin pathway, PGD2, perifollicular inflammation, tension in the galea aponeurotica, epigenetic factors, psychogenic factors, and oxidative stress, may also play significant roles in AGA. The author calls for a more careful approach to understanding the causes and pathways of AGA, including the therapeutic management of patient's problems.