Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata

Perifollicular Nerves in Alopecia Areata: Response to Topical Capsaicin

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00176969

Enrollment

Registered

2005-09-15

Start date

1997-08-31

Completion date

2000-06-30

Last updated

2014-06-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alopecia Areata

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.

Interventions

DRUGCapsaicin

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

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.

Design outcomes

Primary

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

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
The scalps of AA patients may be less sensitive to stimuli.	—

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026