Activation of nociceptors results in the generation of action potentials, which are transmitted to the CNS giving the sensation of pain. We analysed effects of capsaicin, an agonist of the TRPV 1 receptor, on specific types of voltage activated sodium channel currents. We isolated the TTX-resistant and the TTX-sensitive voltage activated sodium channel (VASC) currents. We also analysed voltage activated calcium channel currents (VACC) and voltage activated potassium channel currents (VAPC). Neurones from dorsal root ganglions of 3-4 old days "Wistar" rats were used for whole cell patch clamp recordings. VASC, VACC and VAPC currents were isolated and capsaicin in different concentrations was applied. VASC currents were reduced by capsaicin in low micromolar concentrations. The effects were more pronounced in TTX-resistant sodium channel currents (6.7% reduction in TTX-sensitive VASC currents compared to 28% reduction in TTX-resistant VASC currents with 0.1mM capsaicin). VACC currents were reduced by capsaicin in low concentrations, too (IC50: 0.36mM), while different channel subtypes, were differentially modulated. This effect was only found in small DRG neurones (<30 mm), because of the expression of the TRPV 1 receptor. VAPC currents were only slightly reduces up to concentrations of 20mM (10% reduction). Possibly the different effects of capsaicin on VACs play a major role for pain modulation at the spinal level.