title: Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible.
abstract: The skin and brain have a close bi-directional anatomical and functional connection. Historically, the skin-brain axis and the brain-skin axis have been well described. However, brain function in this context has only recently been demystified with the introduction of functional neuroimaging in dermatology. Functional neuroimaging, especially functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), allows indirect visualisation of brain function. This review looks back to the beginnings of functional neuroimaging in dermatology, summarises the currently available dermatology-related fMRI studies and discusses the potential future role of fMRI as a stratifying tool in clinical dermatology and in the development of novel therapies. According to the main body of research made in this field, the focus is placed on experimental itch studies, which described the brain structures involved in itch processing, the regulation of the scratch response, contagious itch and itch suppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Dermatology Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Simon M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0200-4254
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Kantonsspital Muensterlingen, Muensterlingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jannis M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKie
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre, The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Itin
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic & Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reinhardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christopher E M
authors.initials: CEM
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christine Elise
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Kleyn
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D063726:Delusional Parasitosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
keywords: 
  fMRI
  ; brain processing; functional neuroimaging; itch; skin brain axis