In recent posts we've explored the basis of pattern hair loss and touched on treatment methods used to blunt the onset and progression of the disorder.   In our most recent post we also discussed the importance of hair cycle biodynamics -- and why this offers a potentially intriguing target for the development of advanced hair growth stimulants.

In several recently published peer-reviewed monographs, investigators are drawing an intriguing connection between Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus, a giant double-stranded DNA virus to the inception of complex eukaryotic organisms, early in Earth's biologic history.  Imagine a normal size man standing next to a person with the height and size of a twelve story building.   Now put Mimivirus next to a garden variety virus and you'll see that the giant dwarfs normal viruses to this degree.  

Several tantalizing clues suggest the potential for an even more mind blowing conclusion, which is that viral infection of primitive prokaryotic organisms equipped the infected microbes with the world's very first cell nucleus.  Recall that it is the complexity and organization of eukaryotic cells which distinguishes them from their less robustly evolved prokaryotic brethren.  Sort of like comparing a Mac OSX operating system to an ancient Egyptian abacus.   It is also this level of organization which led to the development of higher animals, including you and me.

In our previous segment we touched on the various forms of hair loss that commonly occur. As we discussed, the most common cause of hair loss is hereditary baldness, or androgenetic alopecia (AGA) also known as male pattern baldness. We also touched upon other less-common causes of hair loss including disorders which may be linked to underlying diseases, medications, medical treatments, normal hormonal changes, stress, and poor nutrition.

In part 1 of this discussion we touched on some of the governing biodynamics which regulate hair cycling.  In Part 2 we discussed the known underlying factors that cause dysregulation of the hair cycle in common pattern hair loss.  In Part 3 we pointed out several pieces of evidence linking cellular inflammation as a key player in the onset and progression of AGA.

In part 4, we will now explore some of the reasons why the human scalp hair follicle constitutes a unique organ structure and why curing pattern hair loss is such a difficult thing to do.