Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata - Full Text View

Sponsor:	Hordinsky, Maria K., MD
Information provided by:	University of Minnesota - Clinical and Translational Science Institute
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

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Allocation: Non-Randomized Endpoint Classification: Pharmacokinetics Study Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment Masking: Open Label Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Official Title:	Perifollicular Nerves in Alopecia Areata: Response to Topical Capsaicin

Resource links provided by NLM:

Genetics Home Reference related topics: androgenetic alopecia

Drug Information available for: Capsaicin

U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by University of Minnesota - Clinical and Translational Science Institute:

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 - Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Principal Investigator:	Marna Ericson, Ph D	University of Minnesota - Clinical and Translational Science Institute

More Information

No publications provided

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

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Alopecia
Alopecia Areata
Hypotrichosis
Hair Diseases
Skin Diseases
Pathological Conditions, Anatomical
Capsaicin

Sensory System Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Pharmacologic Actions
Antipruritics
Dermatologic Agents
Therapeutic Uses

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on February 12, 2012