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Updated: May 10, 2026

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
Cortico-subcortical activation patterns for itch and pain imagery
Hideki Mochizuki1, Ulf Baumgärtner, Sandra Kamping
1Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
Brain imaging reveals that while both itch and pain activate similar brain regions, their functional networks differ. These distinct neural pathways may explain why itch sensations are more socially contagious than pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Itch and pain share similarities in evoking emotional and motor responses.
- Itch is notably more socially contagious than pain, suggesting differing neural mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cerebral mechanisms underlying itch and pain imagery.
- To identify differences in motor-related brain regions between itch and pain imagery.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in 18 healthy subjects.
- Participants imagined itch and pain sensations while viewing associated stimuli.
- Analysis focused on brain activation and functional connectivity patterns.
Main Results:
- Both itch and pain imagery activated the anterior insular cortex (aIC) and motor regions.
- No significant differences in activation were found between itch and pain imagery.
- Functional connectivity between the aIC and motor regions differed: stronger with primary motor/premotor cortices for pain, and globus pallidus for itch.
Conclusions:
- Brain regions for itch and pain imagery are shared, but their functional networks diverge.
- Differences in functional connectivity may underlie the greater social contagiousness of itch compared to pain.
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