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chronic itch

Image shows a person scratching their arm.

·September 28, 2015·3 min read

Promising New Compound Could Treat Chronic Itch Without Adverse Side Effects

Researchers have identified a new compound that appears to treat chronic intractable itch without the adverse side effects normally associated with medicating the condition.

Image of neurons in a mouse spinal cord.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 29, 2015·4 min read

An Itch to Scratch

Researchers have discovered a dedicated neural pathway that transmits the itchy feeling triggered by light touch.

Featured Neurology

·September 11, 2017·6 min read

Potential New Therapy Relieves Chronic Itch

People suffering from chronic itching as a result of a condition called chronic idiopathic pruritus found some symptom relief after taking a drug designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, researchers report.

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·December 13, 2018·3 min read

How the Brain Tells You to Scratch That Itch

Researchers shed light on the mechanism that drives the uncontrollable urge to scratch an itch.

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·December 17, 2018·3 min read

Using Light to Stop Itch

Researchers have developed a light sensitive chemical that binds to specialized nerve cells. When illuminated by near infrared light, the chemical helps stop an itch, allowing for skin healing.

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·July 13, 2019·3 min read

An itch to scratch: Potential approach to chronic itch problem identified

Blocking the NPR1 receptor on the spinal cords of mice and humans may help reduce chronic itching.

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·August 22, 2019·4 min read

Scratching the surface of how your brain senses an itch

Researchers identified a set of neurons in the spinal cord that transmits a light-touch signal from the skin to the brain. NPY-Y1 signaling regulates the transmission of innocuous tactile information by establishing thresholds for touch discrimination and mechanical itch reflexes. The findings shed new light on the neurobiological basis of chronic itching.

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·April 7, 2020·2 min read

Common protein in skin can ‘turn on’ allergic itch

Periostin can directly activate neurons associated with itching. Blocking periostin receptors reduced itch response in mouse models of chronic allergic itching.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 7, 2020·3 min read

Rubbing Skin Activates Itch-Relief Neural Pathway

Stroking the skin can be as effective at relieving an itch as scratching, a new study reports. Rubbing an itch activates touch receptors and recruits anti-itch neurons in the spinal cord.

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·December 10, 2020·4 min read

When It Comes to Feeling Pain, Touch or an Itch, Location Matters

Study identifies where different cells associated with triggering sensorimotor reflexes are located in the spinal cord.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 2, 2021·5 min read

Understanding Itch: New Insights at the Intersection of the Nervous System & Immune System

Cysteine leukotriene receptor 2 appears to be a key player in chronic itch, a new study reports.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 13, 2021·3 min read

Team Tests Medical Marijuana as Possible Therapy for Chronic Itch

A new case study reveals medical marijuana may provide rapid relief for sufferers of chronic itch. Researchers say THC attaches itself to brain receptors that influence the nervous system. This reduces inflammation and nervous system activity, leading to a reduction in itch sensation.

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