title: The peripheral and central mechanisms underlying itch.
abstract: Itch is one of the most distressing sensations that substantially impair quality of life. It is a cardinal symptom of many skin diseases and is also caused by a variety of systemic disorders. Unfortunately, currently available itch medications are ineffective in many chronic itch conditions, and they often cause undesirable side effects. To develop novel therapeutic strategies, it is essential to identify primary afferent neurons that selectively respond to itch mediators as well as the central nervous system components that process the sensation of itch and initiate behavioral responses. This review summarizes recent progress in the study of itch, focusing on itch-selective receptors, signaling molecules, neuronal pathways from the primary sensory neurons to the brain, and potential decoding mechanisms based on which itch is distinguished from pain. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(9): 474-487].
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Seung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea.
authors.forename: Jasmin Sanghyun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyeongho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea.
authors.forename: Juwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyosang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006632:Histamine / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011537:Pruritus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C497098:Mrgprd protein, mouse; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D006632:Histamine