fMRI response to itch induced by histamine iontophoresis

Brain Activation by Histamine Prick Test-Induced Itch

“…But all of these interpretations are still hypothetical with regard to the few studies in this area that looked for activation of the brain. Our results seem to be similar to the finding of McGlone et al (2001), who also showed activation in the forebrain (Brodman's area BA10), an area related to perception (Faw, 2003). Further activations that they found in BA21, BA22, and BA40 could not be confirmed by our results.…”

“…Itch is a well‐known dermatological symptom whose reactions in the brain have been studied very less. In a study with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) response to histamine iontophoresis, McGlone et al (2001) showed that the forebrain regions activated by brief itch (3–4 min) are different from those activated by pain. These findings provide insights into separate motivational and behavioral consequences of itch and pain.…”

Significant differences in central imaging of histamine‐induced itch between atopic dermatitis and healthy subjects

“…Experimentally induced itch is usually provoked by histamine, which can be applied as intracutaneous injection (Hsieh et al, 1994), prick‐test (Darsow et al, 2000, 2001; Drzezga et al, 2001; Walter et al, 2005), or by iontophoresis (McGlone and Rukwied, 2001; Mochizuki et al, 2003). When using injection or prick‐test, the itch sensation might be contaminated by pain; we therefore used histamine iontophoresis.…”

“…Previous PET studies (Hsieh et al, 1994; Darsow et al, 2000, 2001; Drzezga et al, 2001; Mochizuki et al, 2003) and fMRI studies (McGlone and Rukwied, 2001; Walter et al, 2005; Leknes et al, 2007) reported on multiple brain regions activated following application of histamine: the frontal and prefrontal cortex, motor and supplementary motor areas, the parietal somatosensory cortex, cingulate and cerebellum. Recently Leknes et al (2007) reported additional activation in the striatum and thalamus.…”