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itching

This shows an inflammation map of a female body

·June 24, 2022·2 min read

Females Found to Itch Less Than Males

The female hormone estradiol helps suppress itch associated with psoriasis. The findings shed light on why men are more prone to psoriasis and offers hope for new targeted treatment for itch disorders.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 22, 2022·4 min read

Scientists Identify Sensor Underlying Mechanical Itch Stimulus

Study identifies a specific protein in sensory neurons that detects mechanical itch stimuli such as an insect crawling on the skin or when one touches an object that irritates the skin.

This shows the researcher holding up a slide with different skin samples on it

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 21, 2021·6 min read

Skin Itch Mechanisms Differ on Hairless Versus Hairy Skin

Researchers have identified significant differences in the mechanisms of chronic itch between hairy and non-hairy areas of the skin.

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.

This is a cartoon from the study. The caption best describes the image

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 16, 2021·5 min read

Acute Itching in Eczema Patients Linked to Environmental Allergens

Those with eczema who produce immunoglobulin E in response to environmental allergens are more likely to experience chronic and acute 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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·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 Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·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.