Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata - Full Text View

Sponsored by:	Hordinsky, Maria K., MD
Information provided by:	University of Minnesota
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00176969

Purpose

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.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Alopecia Areata	Drug: Capsaicin	Phase IV

MedlinePlus related topics: Hair Diseases and Hair Loss

Drug Information available for: Capsaicin

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Diagnostic, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Pharmacokinetics Study
Official Title:	Perifollicular Nerves in Alopecia Areata: Response to Topical Capsaicin

Further study details as provided by University of Minnesota:

Primary Outcome Measures:

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

Secondary Outcome Measures:

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

Estimated Enrollment:	24
Study Start Date:	August 1997
Estimated Study Completion Date:	June 2000

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.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	18 Years to 70 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	Yes

Criteria

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.

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00176969

Locations

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

Sponsors and Collaborators

Hordinsky, Maria K., MD

Investigators

Principal Investigator:	Maria Hordinsky, MD	University of Minnesota
Principal Investigator:	Marna Ericson, Ph D	University of Minnesota

More Information

Study ID Numbers:	9707M00122
Study First Received:	September 12, 2005
Last Updated:	November 8, 2006
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00176969
Health Authority:	United States: Institutional Review Board

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Pathological Conditions, Anatomical
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata

Skin Diseases
Alopecia
Capsaicin

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Hair Diseases
Hypotrichosis
Sensory System Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Physiological Effects of Drugs

Antipruritics
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Dermatologic Agents
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009