Baldness Research 

Research is looking into connections between hair loss & other health issues. While there has been speculation about a connection between early-onset androgenetic alopecia & heart disease, a review of articles from 1954 to 1999 found no conclusive connection between baldness & coronary artery disease. The dermatologists who conducted the review suggested further study was needed.

Environmental factors are under review. A 2007 study indicated that smoking might be a factor associated with age-related hair loss among Asian men. The study controlled for age & family history, & found statistically significant positive associations between moderate or severe androgenetic alopecia & smoking status.

In might 2007, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania unveiled a new scientific breakthrough that might cure baldness with stem cells. A product could be on the market within 3 years. The researchers discovered that the growth of new hair producing follicles could be stimulated in mice by damaging their skin.

In February 2008 researchers at the University of Bonn announced they have found the genetic basis of 2 distinct forms of inherited hair loss, opening a broad path to treatments for baldness. The fact that any receptor plays a specific role in hair growth was previously unknown to scientists & with this new knowledge a focus on finding more of these genes might be able to lead to therapies for very different types of hair loss.

An 8 month study performed at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Science Malaysia showed daily supplements of a patented tocotrienol complex might increase hair growth in people with male pattern baldness by 42 percent.

In might 2009, researchers in Japan identified a gene, SOX21, that appears to be responsible for hair loss in people.

In December 2010, scientists at the Berlin Technical University in Germany revealed they have grown the world's first artificial hair follicles from stem cells. Research leader Dr Roland Lauster said within five years millions of hair-loss sufferers could grow new hair from their own stem cells & have it implanted into their bald spots. He also announced that preparations for clinical trials were 'already in motion'.

In 2011, research showed that treatment with astressin-B caused the sudden growth of hair in mice bred for a propensity for baldness. Astressin-B ia a nonselective corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist. This might possibly be used in the future to aid in the regrowth of human hair.