Rubbing the skin activates neural pathways that reduce itching

image: Schematic diagram of the mechanism of relieving itching by stroking the skin. Rubbing and stroking the skin activates the vesicular glutamate transporter 3 +-low threshold mechanoreceptors (VGLUT3 + -LTMRs; red), which in turn stimulate itching... to see More Credit: Sakai et al. , JNeurosci 2020 Stopping Scratching: A recently published study of mice activates the spinal cord's antipruritic pathway by rubbing the skin JNeurosci.. Especially in sensitive areas such as the eyes, it can be difficult to resist the relief of scratching the itch, even if the itch damages the skin. But stroking can also relieve itch. Sakai et al. We investigated the neural pathways behind less damaging itch relief. The team evoked the urge to scratch mice by injecting an itch-inducing chemical under the skin. The team then recorded electrical responses from the dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord while stroking the animal's paw. Neurons fired more frequently as the mouse was stroked and did not fire after the end of the stroke. These neurons respond to both touch and itch, so an increase corresponds to an added touch, not an increase in itch, and a decrease corresponds to an alleviation of itch. The same reduction may have been seen when the team stimulated touch-sensitive neurons directly under the skin. However, inhibition of both sensory neurons and anti-itch interneurons in the spinal cord was unable to reduce the response from dorsal horn neurons. The results show that stroking initiates a cascade that activates sensory neurons under the skin, activates anti-itch interneurons in the spinal cord, and reduces dorsal horn nerve activity and itching relief.### Manuscript Title: Low-Threshold Mechanosensory VGLUT3 Series Sensory Neurons Mediate Spinal Inhibition of Touch Itching Please contact us media@sfn.org Join full-text PDF and SfN journal media list. about JNeurosci JNeurosciThe first journal of the Society for Neuroscience was founded in 1981 as a way to communicate the discoveries of the highest quality neuroscience research to the growing arena. Today, the journal continues to focus on publishing state-of-the-art neuroscience with immediate and lasting scientific impact while addressing the changing publishing needs of authors, representing a wide range of disciplines and author diversity. I'm out. About the Neuroscience Society The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and doctors dedicated to understanding the brain and nervous system. Founded in 1969, the non-profit organization currently has nearly 37,000 members in more than 90 countries and 130 branches worldwide. Disclaimer: AAAS and Eurek Alert! We are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert. Donate to institutions or use the information through the EurekAlert system. .. Pictures Credit

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Rubbing the skin activates neural pathways that reduce itching

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Rubbing the skin activates neural pathways that reduce itching

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