title: The pruritus of cholestasis: evolving pathogenic concepts suggest new therapeutic options.
abstract: Pruritus is a distressing symptom experienced by a large proportion of patients with cholestasis. The cause of this form of pruritus is unknown, and therapy tends to be empirical and unsatisfactory. This article discusses the emerging role of the brain and neurotransmitter systems in the pathogenesis of the pruritus of cholestasis and emphasizes the importance of the application of quantitative methodology in clinical trials of therapies for the pruritus of cholestasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Bergasa
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D002779:Cholestasis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018847:Opioid Peptides; D012701:Serotonin