Alopecia Areata Research
Research is currently underway to help the medical community better understand alopecia areata. It is hoped that these research studies will lead to effective treatments and, ultimately, a way to cure alopecia areata or prevent it altogether. A few promising areas of research on alopecia areata include developing an animal model, mapping genes, and finding better ways to administer drugs.
Scientists now have a better understanding of this disease. It is hoped that this will lead the way to better treatments and eventually, a way to prevent or even cure alopecia areata.
Research on this condition ranges from basic studies of hair growth and hair loss in mice to testing medications and ways to apply medications to help re-grow hair in people. Some promising areas of research on alopecia areata include:
- Developing an animal model
- Mapping genes
- Targeting the immune system
- Finding better ways to administer drugs
- Understanding cytokines
- Understanding stem cell biology.
Developing an animal model is a critical first step toward understanding alopecia areata. Research scientists hope to use the animal model to learn more about the mechanism of the disease and to eventually develop alopecia areata treatment that will target the immune system.
Research teams are studying the possible genetic causes and mechanisms of alopecia areata in families where one or more people has the disease. These causes and mechanisms are also being studied in the general population. Understanding the genetics of alopecia areata will aid in disease prevention, early intervention, and development of specific alopecia areata treatment.
By studying how hair follicles form in mouse embryos, research scientists hope to gain a better understanding of hair cycle biology, which may lead to treatments for the underlying disease process.