Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

36.9K
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
36.9K
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

99.9K
Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
99.9K
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

3.0K
Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
3.0K
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

9.1K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
9.1K
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

5.7K
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...
5.7K
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

70.0K
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.
70.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mast cells fuel squamous cell carcinoma through a targetable MRGPRX2-IL-17A axis.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2026
Same author

Chronic kidney disease and itch.

Itch (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2025
Same author

A review of catechins and their use in atopic dermatitis.

Itch (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2025
Same author

Cryoneurolysis with Injectable Ice Slurry Modulates Mechanical Skin Pain.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2022
Same author

Mechanistic insights into the antipruritic effects of lebrikizumab, an anti-IL-13 mAb.

The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology·2022
Same author

Amelioration of Compound 48/80-Mediated Itch and LL-37-Induced Inflammation by a Single-Stranded Oligonucleotide.

Frontiers in immunology·2020
Same journal

Fast-conducting mechanonociceptors uniquely engage reflexive and affective pain circuitry to drive protective responses.

Neuron·2026
Same journal

Sparse component analysis: A method that uncovers separable computations within neural population activity.

Neuron·2026
Same journal

Spatiomolecular mapping reveals anatomical organization of heterogeneous cell types in the human nucleus accumbens.

Neuron·2026
Same journal

TGF-β1-induced endothelial transcytosis drives blood-brain barrier leakage during aging.

Neuron·2026
Same journal

Image space opens up for visual neuroscience.

Neuron·2026
Same journal

Septal GLP-1 receptors control alcohol taking and seeking.

Neuron·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
04:59

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors

Published on: September 27, 2019

12.6K

Interneurons scratch an itch.

Paula Juliana Seadi Pereira1, Ethan A Lerner2

  • 1Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Postgraduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900, Brazil.

Neuron
|May 10, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Itch is a frustrating sensation. New research reveals that inhibitory neurons producing dynorphin, a κ-opioid receptor agonist, can modulate itch perception.

More Related Videos

Recording Network Activity in Spinal Nociceptive Circuits Using Microelectrode Arrays
11:28

Recording Network Activity in Spinal Nociceptive Circuits Using Microelectrode Arrays

Published on: February 9, 2022

2.8K
Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains
10:08

Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains

Published on: June 8, 2018

7.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
04:59

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors

Published on: September 27, 2019

12.6K
Recording Network Activity in Spinal Nociceptive Circuits Using Microelectrode Arrays
11:28

Recording Network Activity in Spinal Nociceptive Circuits Using Microelectrode Arrays

Published on: February 9, 2022

2.8K
Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains
10:08

Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains

Published on: June 8, 2018

7.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pruritus Research
  • Pain Modulation

Background:

  • Itch is a common and distressing sensory experience.
  • Current research primarily investigates the underlying causes of itch.
  • The role of specific neuronal pathways in itch modulation remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of inhibitory neurons in modulating itch.
  • To identify specific neurochemicals involved in itch suppression.
  • To explore the function of dynorphin and κ-opioid receptors in the context of pruritus.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings in neurons.
  • Pharmacological manipulation of κ-opioid receptors.
  • Behavioral assays to measure itch responses in animal models.

Main Results:

  • Identification of inhibitory neurons that produce dynorphin.
  • Dynorphin acts as an endogenous agonist for κ-opioid receptors.
  • These dynorphin-producing neurons modulate the sensation of itch.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibitory dynorphin-producing neurons play a significant role in regulating itch.
  • Targeting the κ-opioid receptor pathway offers a potential therapeutic strategy for managing itch.
  • This study provides novel insights into the neurobiology of pruritus.