NEW YORK – A team of investigators from Columbia, Rockefeller and Stanford Universities has identified a new gene involved in hair growth, as reported in a paper in the April 15 issue of Nature. This discovery may affect future research and treatments for male pattern baldness and other forms of hair loss.

The researchers found that the gene, called APCDD1, which causes a progressive form of hair loss beginning in childhood (known as hereditary hypotrichosis simplex). The disease is caused by a phenomenon called hair follicle miniaturization – the same key feature of male pattern baldness. When hair follicles go through this miniaturization process, they shrink or narrow, causing the thick hair on the head to be replaced by thin, fine hair, known as “peach fuzz.”

“The identification of this gene underlying hereditary hypotrichosis simplex has afforded us an opportunity to gain insight into the process of hair follicle miniaturization, which is most commonly observed in male pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia,” said Angela M. Christiano, Ph.D., professor of dermatology and genetics & development at Columbia University Medical Center, and lead author of the study. “It is important to note that while these two conditions share the same physiologic process, the gene we discovered for hereditary hypotrichosis does not explain the complex process of male pattern baldness.”

The team made their discovery by analyzing genetic data from a few families from Pakistan and Italy with hereditary hypotrichosis simplex. They found a common mutation in the APCDD1 gene, which is located in a specific region on chromosome 18 that has been shown in previous studies to be implicated in other forms of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, hinting at a broader role in hair follicle biology.

Importantly, the researchers found that APCDD1 inhibits a signaling pathway that has long been shown to control hair growth in mouse models, but has not been extensively linked to human hair growth. Laboratory researchers have targeted this pathway, known as the Wnt signaling pathway, to turn on or off hair growth in mice, but, until now, the pathway did not appear to be involved in human hair loss. This finding is significant because it provides evidence that hair growth patterns in humans and in mice are more similar than previously believed.

“We have at last made a connection between Wnt signaling and human hair disease that is highly significant,” said Dr. Christiano. “We have years of beautiful data in our field about hair growth in mice, but this is the first inroad into showing that the same pathway is critical in human hair growth. This is the first mutation in a Wnt inhibitor that deregulates the pathway in a human hair disease.”

“Furthermore, these findings suggest that manipulating the Wnt pathway may have an effect on hair follicle growth – for the first time, in humans,” said Dr. Christiano. “And unlike commonly available treatments for hair loss that involve blocking hormonal pathways, treatments involving the Wnt pathway would be non-hormonal, which may enable many more people suffering from hair loss to receive such therapies.”

Dr. Christiano and her team are now working to understand the complex genetic causes of other forms of hair loss including alopecia areata, with the hope of eventually developing new, effective treatments for these conditions.

Source: Elizabeth Streich, Columbia University Medical Center via Eurek Alert

While it’s not hard to find horror stories on the internet or television about men who reach for the stars to get their mop back (including anything from toupees to toxic spray-ons), they’re all looking for the same thing: a “cure” of sorts to baldness. And while there is no cure for male-pattern baldness now, there are some promising treatments to be released in the near future that just might bring that idea to life. What’s the best part? These future balding treatments are already in development and on their way.

Here are a few future balding treatments you’ll likely see in the coming years with the advancement of science and technology regarding men and hair loss.

Hair cloning (hair multiplication)

Hair multiplication (or follicular cell implantation) involves reproducing healthy hair follicles and distributing them in numbers large enough to completely eliminate male-pattern baldness. It is the modern, up-to-date version of your traditional hair transplant in the sense that they borrow from existing spots on your head to fill in the gaps. However, rather than simply move the hairs around to new spots, new hairs are created making the possibility of thick, wavy hair more attainable.

Hair follicles have a property similar to plants when the “cutting” method of reproducing is used: If a follicle is split in two, it can essentially take the form of two new hairs if cultured and grown correctly. The hair can then be replicated thousands (or millions) of times over, and then either injected back into the scalp and grown from scratch to rejuvenate current hair follicles or transplanted back onto the head.

This future balding treatment is still in the development stages and that’s why you haven’t seen any products on the shelf just yet. However, companies like the Britain-based Intercytex are developing a cell therapy process for male-pattern baldness, and in June 2008, the company announced a successful phase II trial of its hair implantation tests.

Baldness be gone: Intercytex predicts treatment to be available within five years (before 2013).

Genetic testing

One of the best ways to guarantee luxurious locks of hair is to avoid losing them in the first place — sorry for all those who have a shine on their scalp already. Genetic testing is the way of the future for preventative male-pattern baldness treatments.

Male-pattern baldness is a common problem in males: About two-thirds of men experience some degree of baldness by the time they reach their 60s. Of course, baldness can start anywhere from a man’s teenage years all the way to retirement and beyond. Therefore, getting to the root of the problem (no pun intended) might be your safest bet to keeping your hair.

Men who inherit two particular genetic variants are seven times more likely to become bald, according to researchers who analyzed the human genome for the DNA strain that causes male-pattern baldness.

deCODE Genetics, an Icelandic company, is currently developing a personal genotyping service. If it is noted that you are susceptible to the genes that cause baldness, preventative treatments can follow such as Rogaine, Propecia or Dutasteride. Understanding male-pattern baldness and its hereditary patterns will be critical to solving androgenic alopecia and better, less-invasive treatments.

Baldness be gone: Personal genotyping is already available from deCODE, but baldness diagnostics will be available within the next two to three years (2010 to 2011).

Natural regeneration

Prior to 2007, science revealed that regeneration was a possibility in only select animals, such as salamanders and newts. It wasn’t until scientists at the University of Pennsylvania were studying wound reparation on mice that they discovered that hair follicles could regenerate by “re-awakening” genes that were once active only in developing embryos. Amazingly, when the wound begins the healing stage, it triggers an “embryonic stage” in which non-hair-follicle (epidermal) stem cells are sent to the wound area to repair the injury. The skin becomes receptive to wnt (wingless) proteins that are essential for hair follicle development. This window of opportunity allows scientists to manipulate the amount of wnt and other protein types to stimulate hair follicle growth (or conversely, stymie it if hair growth is not wanted). Another interesting conclusion they came to was that this can be achieved with little to no scarring. This process to treating male-pattern baldness also has the potential to treat other hair disorders and forms of alopecia.

A patent is now out for this process of follicle neogenesis, and a company called Follica Inc., which includes scientists in the original wounding experiment, is heading up the project. While the treatment is still years away, and may cross paths with the idea of hair multiplication, pre-clinical trials are already underway.

Baldness be gone: There is no determinable date as to when this might be available given that trials can last years. As soon as 2015 or 2018 could be a possibility, but that’s being generous.

Source: Andrew Chomik, AskMen

Do- Dry hair gently

Beating up your hair with a rough towel and vigorous rubbing can cause serious damage. Physical force breaks off finer hairs, and newly emerging ones don’t even get a chance to survive. Use a super soft cloth and pat rather than rub the hair to rid it of excess moisture after bathing.

Don’t- Use a bristled brush for styling

Styling time usually comes after a shower when hair is wet and in its most fragile state. Needless to say, tearing tracks down your scalp with a bristly brush isn’t the best idea. The only styling tool a man needs nowadays is his bare hands.

Do- Keep hair short

It’s time to say goodbye to those luscious locks you’ve been holding on to since college. Age is setting in and things are thinning upstairs. Longer hairstyles only serve to accentuate what’s already gone, but a closer crop will maximize coverage leaving no one the wiser. And if the situation is dire, go for the gusto: hair for men is optional.

Don’t- Comb it over

Two words: Donald Trump. See the “do” above on keeping hair short in order to avoid this sad (and ineffective) strategy for handling hair loss.

Do- Try hair loss-prevention products

Most treatments for hair loss leave much to be desired. Balding concealer (scalp spray paint) quickly comes to mind. But sometimes the most obvious and effective choices for treatment get roped in with the fast fixes that don’t work. While other products have come and gone, tried-and-true Rogaine remains. Its special ingredient, minoxidil, is still one of the only scientifically proven methods for staving off hair loss and yes, even regrow hair.

Don’t- Overdo it with styling products

Gels, pastes and putties serve a purpose: they help smooth hair and hold it in place. But nothing is worse for drawing unwanted attention to a scarce scalp than glopping on goo. Strands of hair end up clumping together only to bare all for world to see. Lay it on light to keep things covered up.

Do- Use a thickening cream/conditioner

That hairstyle may not be as thick as it used to be, but that doesn’t mean you have to shear it all off just yet. Conditioners and creams specially formulated for troubled tresses can keep your secret under wraps by helping build and protect the shaft of the hair.

Don’t- Panic or do nothing

Shedding strands here and there is no reason to sweat. In fact, it’s 100% normal to lose as many as 100 hairs every day. If you’re really shedding your coat, chances are it’s happening so slowly you may not notice until the pesky process is well underway. Once balding has begun, don’t deny it. Seek treatment — personal or professional — and then move on to life’s more important problems.

Source: Adam Fox, AskMen.Com

What’s normal?

A man’s scalp is covered by about 100,000 hair follicles. During the normal hair-growth cycle, each follicle passes through a two- to three-year period of growth, followed by a period of involution and rest that lasts from three to four months. During the involution phase, some of the follicles die, which is why a healthy scalp loses about 100 hairs a day. But most of the follicles get back to growing new hairs, so a man’s hair stays full-unless something goes wrong.

Abnormal hair loss

Hair follicles contain living cells; like all cells, they can be damaged. Damaged follicles stop growing hair. If the problem is mild, the follicle recovers and resumes hair growth. For example, severe physical or emotional stress can damage hair follicles, halting hair growth. That’s why people often lose hair two or three months after a major illness or traumatic life event. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. It’s easy to recognize with a simple pull test: If you can extract more than five or six hairs with a single pull, you’re likely to have telogen effluvium, and your hair is likely to grow back within a few months, even without treatment.

But severe damage may permanently stop hair growth. For example:

• Medication can damage hair follicles; chemotherapy drugs are the leading examples. Less often, toxic chemicals, radiation or infection can cause hair loss.
• Skin diseases that leave scarring can also lead to hair loss that may be permanent.

These problems are all uncommon. Contrary to popular belief, common woes like seborrhea (a skin condition marked by an itchy red rash and white scales) and dandruff do not cause hair loss.

Male-patterned baldness

Call it androgenic alopecia and it sounds like a disease. But by age 50, half of all healthy men have male pattern baldness. It may cause anguish, but it’s just part of the human condition, an accident of genes and hormones.

Male pattern baldness usually begins with a receding hairline, a bald spot at the top of the scalp, or both. It may start as early as ages 15 to 20 or as late as ages 40 to 50. It can progress slowly or swiftly, producing anything from thin hair to complete baldness that usually spares the sideburns and collar area.

Why me?

Most experts believe that one gene is responsible for androgenic alopecia, but it has variable penetrance, so it’s more likely to produce hair loss in some men than others. The abnormal gene can be passed down from a mother or father to sons or daughters. But men are much more likely to suffer from the gene’s activity because they have the second requirement, testosterone.

Testosterone, of course, is the male hormone that acts on tissues to produce the deep voice, strong muscles and bones and genital structures that characterize men. Testosterone acts directly on these tissues-but to act on the hair follicles (and the prostate) it must be converted to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT stimulates the growth of hair follicles in the beard and body, but it has the opposite effect on the scalp. Add DHT to the right (or wrong!) genes and you’ve got male pattern baldness.

Treatments for baldness

Doctors don’t think of male pattern baldness as an illness—but 33 million American men are troubled enough to spend about $1.5 billion a year on treatments.

Some men turn to scalp surgery and hair transplants, others to wigs and toupees. But the Holy Grail is a pill or potion that can cover a shiny pate with a man’s own hair.

In 1989, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the shelves of many worthless products marketed to gullible and vulnerable men for generations. But two medications remain standing; both can help, but neither is a miracle cure for baldness:

• Minoxidil tablets are a prescription drug for hypertension. But for more than 10 years it has also been available as Rogaine, a nonprescription lotion for hair loss. It works by prolonging the growth phase of hair follicles that are still active but its benefits last only while you use it regularly. Rogaine is more effective for bald spots than receding hairlines, but it’s only partially effective at that. In one study, 36 percent of men who had used the product for several years felt it was worth the time and money. According to the manufacturer, Rogaine should be applied twice daily. Scalp irritation can occur; dizziness and low blood pressure are less common side effects.
• Finasteride is an oral prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. It is marketed as Propecia, which is a 1-milligram tablet. (The 5-milligram tablet is known as Proscar, and is prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.) Propecia was approved largely on the basis of four studies. Although the drug had positive results, they were hardly dramatic. For example, after a year of treatment, men taking Propecia had an average of 876 hairs in a one-inch circle on the scalp, while those taking a placebo pill had 769 hairs. In another trial, 50 percent of men taking Propecia and 30 percent of men taking a placebo pill thought their appearance had improved. Because Propecia cannot revive hair follicles that are inactive, it won’t help men who are already bald. Men who find the drug helpful will have to continue taking it indefinitely to maintain even modest improvements. Propecia is generally safe, but 1 to 2 percent of men experience diminished sexual drive (libido) and potency, which rebound when they stop taking the drug.

To treat or not to treat?

From a medical point of view, there is no need to treat male pattern baldness. At best, the treatments are expensive and only partially effective. Although treatment is generally safe, some men may experience side effects. Take a look in the mirror and think it over. And before you decide, try to imagine how Michael Jordan, Bruce Willis, Chris Daughtry or Kobe Bryant would look with a bit of hair.

Dr Bessam Farjo, co-founder of The Farjo Medical Centre and past President of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, has seen a 23 per cent increase in enquiries coming from men aged 20 years or under over the past 12 months. Some of the enquiries the centre has received have come from the parents of boys as young as 16-years-old.

Dr Farjo explained: “Hair loss can be quite unpredictable in its early stages, with the full extent of loss difficult to determine in men under the age of 30. Men under this age should consider taking preventative drugs such as propecia, in an effort to slow down or stop their hair loss. However, a few online sources and commercial clinics are encouraging very young men to consider surgery to restore both their follicles and self-esteem.”

He added: “Whilst there are many regulated forums and websites which offer sound advice, there is also a lot of inaccurate information being passed around on social networking forums.”

“Surgery may improve the hairline of very young men in the short term; however, if further hair loss occurs they could find themselves with inconsistent coverage, giving them a ‘patchy’ look.”

“Sadly, some clinics appear to be taking advantage of these vulnerable patients by agreeing to perform surgery and not advising them of the potential long-term results.”

Whilst nothing can be done to stop incorrect advice being given over the internet or through non-medical sales people, Dr Farjo insists it is the responsibility of the professionals offering the treatment to advise when surgery is not an appropriate course of action. He also wants to see legal guidelines put into place to protect vulnerable and younger men.

As the UK’s leading hair transplant specialists, The Farjo Medical Centre operates a strict screening process and will not treat anyone who they feel is not suitable for surgery. The centre also offers a genetic test which indicates the extent of expected hair loss, be it a slightly receding hair-line or complete hair loss.

Dr Bessam Farjo and his wife, fellow surgeon Dr Nilofer Farjo, carry out more than 300 operations each year at their Manchester clinic. More than 4,000 people have travelled from across the UK, Europe and as far as the Middle East, Australia and the United States, to the Farjo Medical Centre.

The centre has an international reputation for not only using the latest hair transplantation techniques – recognised throughout the surgical field – but for placing significant emphasis on developing pioneering ways to counter hair loss.

Source: The Farjo Medical Centre

After six years of research they have succeeded in identifying a gene that is responsible for a rare hereditary form of hair loss known as Hypotrichosis simplex. The scientists are the first to identify a receptor that plays a role in hair growth. They now hope that their research findings will lead to new therapies that will work with various forms of hair loss.

“Although Hypotrichosis simplex is very uncommon, it may prove critical in our search for an understand of the mechanisms of hair growth,” says project leader Dr. Regina Betz from Bonn’s Institute of Human Genetics, summing up the research results. The disease is inherited and affects both men and women. Sufferers generally begin to go bald during childhood. The process of hair loss (alopecia) then advances with age, especially around the scalp.

The cause of Hypotrichosis simplex in the form examined in this project is a genetic defect. It prevents certain receptor structures on the surface of hair follicle cells from being correctly formed. It has been found that when messengers from outside bind to these receptors they trigger a chain reaction in the cell interior which is apparently needed for the hair follicle to function normally. Such a receptor that plays a specific role in hair growth was previously unknown to scientists.

Key to new drugs to combat hair loss

As Professor Dr. Markus Nöthen, who holds the Chair of Genetic Medicine at Bonn University’s Life & Brain Centre, explains, “The defective receptor structure falls into the category of what are known as G-protein-coupled receptors.” This is good news, because, “they are particularly well suited as points of impact for drug treatments.” The researchers have also been able to identify an endogenous messenger that binds in the hair follicle to the receptor.

This opens up opportunities for developing new active agents. Looking to the future, Professor Dr. Ivar von Kügelgen from Bonn’s Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology says, “We can now search selectively for related substances that may be used in therapies for hair loss.” The exciting possibility here is that such medicines will be able to benefit patients suffering from very different types of hair loss.

Another member of the project team has been the dermatologist Dr. Khalid Al Aboud from the King Faisal Hospital in Makkah, who was responsible for the clinical case studies. In 2002, he and his colleagues examined a Saudi-Arabian family with Hypotrichosis simplex. The medical scientists were able to analyse DNA samples from the parents and from nine of their ten children — including four sufferers.

The family’s genetic material gave the research project team the key to understanding some of the fundamental mechanisms of hair growth and hair loss. The researchers now hope that this individual genetic case will lead to developments that can benefit a far wider circle of patients in the future.

The study is due to appear in the March edition of “Nature Genetics”.

Source: University of Bonn

Hair loss comes from the mother’s side

While baldness is genetic, it is not limited to the maternal side of the family. The hair-loss gene can come from either side. If your uncle Charlie on your father’s side has a receding hairline, then chances are you might not be in the clear.

Wearing hats causes hair loss

In order for the hair to fall out, the hat would have to be so tight that it cuts circulation to the follicles. So no, wearing hats does not cause hair loss. Could you just imagine how many pro sports players would be bald if that were the case?

Losing a handful of hair daily is a sign of male pattern baldness

If you have male pattern baldness, then yes, you’ll lose a lot of hair each day. On the other hand, if you don’t have male pattern baldness, it can be normal to lose that much hair because it will grow back. Only time will tell, and you should wait and see if it does indeed grow back.

Excessive use of hair products causes hair loss

There are no hair-care products that cause hair loss. You may sculpt your locks with as much gel, mousse or spray as you desire.

Standing on your head cures hair loss

The idea is that, by standing on your head, blood flow will be increased and your scalp will be regenerated. Specialists agree on the fact that it has no influence on hair loss at all; follicles need more than blood flow to grow hair.

Brushing your hair is better than combing it

Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage, not to male pattern baldness.

Cutting your hair will make it grow back thicker

This common misconception comes from the fact that hair is thicker at the base than it is at the tip, so it appears thicker at first. Cutting your hair does not affect hair growth at all; it will grow about half an inch each month no matter what.

Blow drying produces hair loss

Absolutely not. However, blow drying can damage, burn or dry the hair, which can cause it to fall. But this hair will grow back immediately, and is thus not considered to be permanent hair loss.

Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss

As mentioned above, hair-care products do not harm hair. The same goes for frequency; you can wash your hair as often as you like, although three times a week is the recommended amount.

Long sun exposure favors hair loss

Since hair loss appears at the follicle level, the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage. Fortunately, your hair acts as a shield against the sun.

Color treatment causes hair loss

Most hair-coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used. But will it instigate hair loss? Not a chance.

Diet is related to hair loss

True; it’s important to eat right in order to be generally healthy. Nevertheless, no food has been proven to be beneficial or detrimental to hair.

Stress causes hair loss

Hair loss may occur in extreme cases in which there’s been surgery or an otherwise stressful event, which can cause a shutting down of hair production. However, it does not cause male pattern baldness, as hair growth will resume in time.

Hormones are not related to hair loss

Technically, this is true. Still, hormonal imbalance can cause temporary hair loss, as is common with women after pregnancy. If it happens to you, the important thing to remember is that the hair will grow back.
Steroids have no side effects on hair

If you’re into bodybuilding, you should be wary of anabolic steroids. They’re very potent chemicals that have some treacherous side effects, including acceleration of hair loss. The problem is that these side effects are usually delayed by several years.

Source: AskMen.com