Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
10:41
A Wireless, Bidirectional Interface for In Vivo Recording and Stimulation of Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats
Published on: November 7, 2017
Itch signaling in the nervous system.
Joseph Jeffry1, Seungil Kim, Zhou-Feng Chen
1Center for the Study of Itch, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine Pain Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)
|August 16, 2011
Summary
Itch sensation, a key somatosensory perception, can be acute or chronic. Recent mouse genetics studies are advancing our understanding of nonhistaminergic itch signaling mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dermatology
- Somatic Sensation
Background:
- Itch is a fundamental somatosensory perception alongside pain, temperature, and touch.
- Itch can manifest as acute (e.g., mosquito bites) or chronic conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis), with diverse peripheral or systemic origins.
- Historically, research focused on histamine-dependent itch, but nonhistaminergic itch, prevalent in chronic conditions, remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular signaling mechanisms underlying itch sensation.
- To highlight recent advances in understanding nonhistaminergic itch, particularly from rodent studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature.
- Emphasis on studies utilizing mouse genetics to elucidate itch pathways.
- Analysis of molecular signaling in both histamine-dependent and histamine-independent itch.
Main Results:
- Itch involves specific neuronal pathways, including C fibers and neurons expressing gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) and spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons.
- Mouse genetics has been pivotal in uncovering novel molecular mechanisms of itch.
- Significant progress has been made in detailing the signaling pathways for nonhistaminergic itch.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the molecular basis of nonhistaminergic itch is crucial, given its prevalence in chronic itch conditions.
- Continued research, especially using genetic models, is essential for advancing itch Sensation knowledge.
- This review synthesizes current understanding and points to future research directions in itch signaling.
Related Concept Videos
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
01:12Synaptic Signaling
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
01:09Synaptic Signaling
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...