MEG Method May Hold the Secret to Baldness

Hair diseases and baldness are often linked to the activity of hair follicles. in 2019, Martinos researchers reported in the journal Scientific Reports an MEG-based method that allows them to examine this activity. In doing so, the approach could help advance a range of applications, including testing the effects of different treatments on hair growth.

The method takes advantage of the observation that pressing lightly on an area of the scalp containing healthy hair follicles produces a steady magnetic field that can be measured with MEG. By repeating the measurements in multiple locations on the scalp, the researchers can create in individual subjects maps of follicle-related electrical activity.

In the Scientific Reports study, the Martinos team produced such maps for 15 healthy control participants and two participants with a hair loss condition called alopecia. The maps for participants with alopecia showed no electrical activity in locations where pressure was applied. In contrast, the maps for other participants showed electrical activity of varying degrees.

This finding is important because follicles’ electrical activity can only be observed magnetically; surface voltages are too difficult to measure.

”What we have here is a quantitative way to see the activity of hair follicles, and as far as we can tell, this is the first time electrical activity has been measured from the follicles themselves,” says senior author David Cohen.

Lead author Sheraz Khan adds: ”This method provides a quantitative and objective assessment for the health of hair follicles and can be used as a biomarker for the treatment of hair loss.”