Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata

Perifollicular Nerves in Alopecia Areata: Response to Topical Capsaicin

It has been postulated that Alopecia Areata (AA) is, at least in part, a neurologically mediated disease. Research supporting this theory includes the finding that nerves surrounding the hair follicles are collapsed. We want to take this research a step further and show that not only are these perifollicular nerves collapsed, but that their function is also impaired.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Alopecia Areata
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Capsaicin

Detailed Description

To assess the function of perifollicular scalp nerves in AA we will look at the response of these nerves to the topical medication capsaicin. Under normal circumstances topical capsaicin is known to target nerves in the peripheral nervous system causing short-term release of the neuropeptide Substance P (SP) as well as long-term transient depletion of SP. We expect the AA patients will respond abnormally to topical capsaicin treatment.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Minnesota
    • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55455
      • University of Minnesota

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 66 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must have alopecia totalis or universalis.
• Be in good health.
• Not be taking any medications including topical medications
• Be 18 years or older.
• Be willing to apply study medication or vehicle as directed, comply with instructions and commit to follow-up visits.
• Not have had hair chemically treated (including colored hair, permed hair, etc) within the month prior to the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absence of extensive alopecia areata.
• People not in good health.
• People taking medications.
• Allergies to capsaicin.
• Presence of irritated or visibly inflamed scalp.
• Having had hair chemically treated (including colored hair, permed hair, etc.) within the month prior to study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Topical capsaicin will quantitatively decrease the amount of Substance P in the scalp of AA patients.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
The scalps of AA patients may be less sensitive to stimuli.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Minnesota
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Marna Ericson, Ph D, University of Minnesota

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 1997
• Study Completion: June 1, 2000

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2005
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2005
• First Posted (Estimate): September 15, 2005

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 2, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 30, 2014
• Last Verified: May 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Hypotrichosis; Hair Diseases; Alopecia; Alopecia Areata; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Sensory System Agents; Dermatologic Agents; Antipruritics; Capsaicin
• Other Study ID Numbers: 9707M00122