Neurophysiology of Pruritus

Ikoma, Akihiko; Rukwied, Roman; Ständer, Sonja; Steinhoff, Martin; Miyachi, Yoshiki; Schmelz, Martin

doi:10.1001/archderm.139.11.1475

Cited by 90 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[62] Early fNI studies using pain models significantly contributed to the understanding of central itch processing, albeit there is increasing evidence that pain and itch are distinctively processed. [63] As the similarities and differences of itch and pain have repeatedly been reviewed, [63][64][65][66][67] this topic is not further elaborated.…”

Section: Publicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible

Mueller

Hogg

Mueller

et al. 2017

Experimental Dermatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Publicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible

Mueller

Hogg

Mueller

et al. 2017

Experimental Dermatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The inhibition of itch by painful stimuli has been shown experimentally by use of noxious thermal, mechanical, and chemical stimuli. 25 Recently, electrical stimulation via an array of pointed electrodes, a method known as cutaneous field stimulation, has also been successfully used to inhibit histamine-induced itch. 26 The change of sensation from itch to pain may be induced via the inhibition of itch by noxious electrical stimulation.…”

Section: J Am Acad Dermatolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroselective transcutaneous electric stimulation reveals body area–specific differences in itch perception

Ozawa¹,

Tsuchiyama²,

Gomi³

et al. 2006

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In chronic itch patients, scratching-evoked sensation can be perceived as itch and produce an “itch-scratch-itch” cycle to exacerbate itch. In some chronic itch conditions such as atopic dermatitis, even painful stimuli could be perceived as itch [57;60;86]. Continuous scratching not only increases the risk of skin infection, but also disrupts the social life of patients [75;119;151].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights into the mechanisms of itch: are pain and itch controlled by distinct mechanisms?

Liu

2013

Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol

176

157

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Itch and pain are closely related but distinct sensations. They share largely overlapping mediators and receptors, and itch-responding neurons are also sensitive to pain stimuli. Itch-mediating primary sensory neurons are equipped with distinct receptors and ion channels for itch transduction, including Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors (Mrgprs), protease-activated receptors (PARs), histamine receptors, bile acid receptor (TGR5), toll-like receptors (TLRs), and transient receptor potential subfamily V1/A1 (TRPV1/A1). Recent progress has indicated the existence of an itch-specific neuronal circuitry. The MrgprA3-expressing primary sensory neurons exclusively innervate the epidermis of skin and their central axons connect with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-expressing neurons in the superficial spinal cord. Notably, ablation of MrgprA3-expressing primary sensory neurons or GRPR-expressing spinal cord neurons results in selective reduction in itch but not pain. Chronic itch results from dysfunction of the immune and nervous system and can manifest as neural plasticity, despite the fact that chronic itch is often treated by dermatologists. While differences between acute pain and acute itch are striking, chronic itch and chronic pain share many similar mechanisms, including peripheral sensitization (increased responses of primary sensory neurons to itch and pain mediators), central sensitization (hyperactivity of spinal projection neurons and excitatory interneurons), loss of inhibitory control in the spinal cord, and neuro-immune and neuro-glial interactions. Notably, painful stimuli can elicit itch in some chronic conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis) and some drugs for treating chronic pain are also effective in chronic itch. Thus, itch and pain have more similarities in pathological and chronic conditions.

show abstract

Neurophysiology of Pruritus

Cited by 90 publications

References 37 publications

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible

Neuroselective transcutaneous electric stimulation reveals body area–specific differences in itch perception

New insights into the mechanisms of itch: are pain and itch controlled by distinct mechanisms?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About