Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025
07:09
The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
48.3K
Understanding Neural Factors in Burn-related Pruritus and Neuropathic Pain
Dulan A Gunawardena1,2, Edward Stanley2, Andrea C Issler-Fisher1,2,3
1Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Summary
Post-burn itching and neuropathic pain are linked to neural factors like Substance P. More research is needed to understand these complex mechanisms and improve patient quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Post-burn pruritus and neuropathic pain significantly impair quality of life, affecting psychosocial well-being, sleep, and daily activities.
- Existing research on neural mediators of itch primarily focuses on non-burn contexts, leaving a gap in understanding burn-specific pathophysiology.
- The precise neural mechanisms underlying burn-related itch and pain require further elucidation.
Approach:
- A scoping review was conducted to synthesize existing evidence on neural factors contributing to post-burn pruritus and neuropathic pain.
- Searches were performed across PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline databases for relevant publications.
- Data extracted included neural mediators, patient demographics, total body surface area (TBSA) affected, and sex.
Key Points:
- Eleven studies involving 881 patients were included in the review.
- Substance P (SP) was the most frequently investigated neurotransmitter (36% of studies), followed by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (27% of studies).
- Itch and pain may result from neuropeptides like SP and other neural mediators, including Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels.
Conclusions:
- Post-burn pruritus and neuropathic pain arise from diverse underlying mechanisms.
- Neuropeptides and other neural mediators play a role in these conditions.
- Included studies were characterized by small sample sizes and varied methodologies, highlighting the need for more robust research.
More Related Videos
09:39Establishing a Mouse Model of a Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy with the Ultrapotent Agonist of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1
Published on: February 13, 2018
9.6K
04:59Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
12.3K
Related Concept Videos
01:44Nociception
28.2K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
28.2K
01:20Pain
536
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
536
01:22Burn Injuries
2.6K
Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
2.6K
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
5.3K
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...
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...
5.3K
01:43Thermosensation
30.9K
Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
30.9K
01:24Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
898
Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
898