Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata

Phase 4

Completed

• Conditions: Alopecia Areata

• Registration Number: NCT00176969
• Lead Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Brief Summary

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.

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 Timeline

• Study Start: 1997-08
• Study Completion: 2000-06
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-12
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-15
• Status Verified: 2014-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-05-30
• Last Update Posted: 2014-06-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

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 & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota; 🇺🇸 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States