A wide variety of ongoing research regarding alopecia areata is being conducted both to better understand and to investigate cures for the disease, including:

• Development of an animal model. The development of a disease similar to alopecia areata in mice may help researchers eventually develop more effective treatment methods for the disease.
  
  
• Gene mapping. Possible genetic causes and mechanisms of the disease are currently being researched in hopes of developing prevention and treatment methods for alopecia areata.
  
  
• Hair follicle development. Observing hair follicle generation in the embryos of mice may further the understanding of hair growth in humans, as well as suggesting treatments for the underlying disease process.
  
  
• Immunosuppressing drugs. Some drugs used to treat other autoimmune diseases (e.g., psoriasis, lupus) are currently being studied for potential use in the treatment of alopecia areata.
  
  
• Improved drug administration methods. Current topical treatments for alopecia areata have difficulty in penetrating fat located beneath the skin, making them less effective at reaching hair follicles. Topically applied microscopic sacs called liposomes have shown promise in laboratory animals, though more human research is needed.
  
  
• Cytokines. Chemical messengers that help regulate the body’s immune response. Research is being conducted to see if the introduction of cytokines into the body with the help of liposomes may reduce or stop the progression of alopecia areata.
  
  
• Stem cells. Alopecia areata does not appear to affect stem cells in hair follicles. This may explain why regrowth of hair is possible for people with the disease. Better comprehension of how alopecia areata affects these cells may help scientists better understand how the disease is triggered or caused.