Psychophysical and Physiological Evidence for Parallel Afferent Pathways Mediating the Sensation of Itch

• Published in: The Journal of neuroscience Vol. 27; no. 28; pp. 7490 - 7497
• Main Authors: Johanek, Lisa M, Meyer, Richard A, Hartke, Tim, Hobelmann, Joseph Greg, Maine, David N, LaMotte, Robert H, Ringkamp, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Soc Neuroscience 11.07.2007; Society for Neuroscience
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adult; Afferent Pathways - physiopathology; Capsaicin - administration & dosage; Capsaicin - pharmacology; Female; Histamine; Histamine H1 Antagonists - pharmacology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mucuna; Mucuna pruriens; Nerve Fibers - drug effects; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated; Neurons, Afferent; Plant Structures; Pruritus - etiology; Pruritus - pathology; Pruritus - physiopathology; Pruritus - psychology; Psychophysics; Skin - blood supply; Vasodilation

The neuronal pathways for itch have been characterized mainly based on responses to histamine. Intracutaneous application of histamine produces intense itch and a large area of axon-reflexive vasodilation (“flare”) around the application site. Both phenomena are thought to be mediated through neuron...