Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System in Rosacea

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Rosacea is a common skin disorder which causes facial redness and inflammation in about 16 million Americans, from an unknown cause. Many triggers of rosacea symptoms are stressors that affect the sympathetic (fight or flight) portion of the nervous system, and a recent pilot study suggests there is sympathetic dysfunction in rosacea. This project will benefit patients, clinicians, and basic scientists by increasing our understanding of sympathetic nervous system involvement in rosacea symptoms in order to develop improved treatments for patients with rosacea.

Official Title
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Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System in Rosacea

Conditions
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Rosacea

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: systemic and local stressors


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Otherwise healthy males and non-pregnant/non-lactating females with mild to moderate erythematotelangiectactic rosacea, as well as age-sex matched healthy control subjects. Exclusion Criteria: Neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, muscular, or other dermatological disorders Current history of alcohol and/or drug abuse Known allergies or hypersensitivities to medications/drugs that are used in the protocol Current smoking or regular smoking within the last 2 years Body mass index > 35 kg/m2 Medications or supplements which are known to affect neural, cardiovascular, or muscular responses

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Autonomic responses to stressors<br>Protocol 1: mental math and handgrip exercise. Protocol 2: systemic stressors and end-organ receptor stimulation. Protocol 3: local heating. | Other: systemic and local stressors<br>* Protocol 1: skin sympathetic nerve activity will be measured during mental math and handgrip exercise. Protocol 2: skin end organ responses will be measured at baseline and in response to systemic stressors and end-organ receptor stimulation. Protocol 3: skin end organ responses will be measured at baseline and during local heating.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skin blood flow | laser Doppler flowmetry | Immediate (during the single-day study). This study consists of a one-day protocol, during which this outcome is measured. | 
| Skin sympathetic nerve activity | microneurography | Immediate (during the single-day study). This study consists of a one-day protocol, during which this outcome is measured. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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autonomic nervous system, skin blood flow, skin sympathetic nerve activity