Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata

University of Minnesota (UMN)

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 4

Conditions

Alopecia Areata

Treatments

Drug: Capsaicin

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00176969

9707M00122

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 70 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.