The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says the answer is a
mixture of commonly held beliefs along with some exciting new research.
While it is true that the irritation of the skin, such as rashes or insect landing on us, can trigger itching through nerve cells, the process of how we are made aware of sensations, clinically known as "pruritus," take part in the different parts of the body.
Tests on mice, scientists found that molecules released in the spinal dorsal horn began to biological processes. Molecule, neuropeptide natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb), then travels to the brain, creating a sense of itching.
In their study, the scientists were able to isolate the mice without Nppb. "When we Nppb-deficient mice exposed some itch-inducing substances, it was amazing to watch," said Santosh Mishra, lead author of the study. "Nothing happened. Rats will not scratch."
"The receptor was exactly in the right place in the dorsal horn," added study co-author Mark Hoon. "We go a step further and removed the NPRA neurons of the spinal cord. We want to see if their removal would short-circuit the itch, and it was."
Through their research, the scientists learned some other interesting facts about Nppb too.
"It is released by the heart," said Hoon Time, "to control blood sodium and blood pressure.'s Biological foundation that many neurotransmitters are used in various parts of the body for different purposes."
So, does that mean it's time to take a celebratory dive into poison ivy? Are humans no longer have to worry about disturbing itch?
Not exactly. Hoon said doctors now will be faced with two undesirable options: Influence of blood pressure control or Nppb injected directly into the spinal cord, which, he noted dryly, "is not a trivial thing to do."
Meanwhile, the authors of the study hope to solve the other end of the equation, to find out why the itching stops.
"Now the challenge is to find a similar biocircuitry on people, evaluates what is, and identify unique molecules that can be targeted for lethal chronic itching without causing undesirable side effects," Hoon said in a release accompanying the study. "So, this is the beginning, not the end."
While it is true that the irritation of the skin, such as rashes or insect landing on us, can trigger itching through nerve cells, the process of how we are made aware of sensations, clinically known as "pruritus," take part in the different parts of the body.
Tests on mice, scientists found that molecules released in the spinal dorsal horn began to biological processes. Molecule, neuropeptide natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb), then travels to the brain, creating a sense of itching.
In their study, the scientists were able to isolate the mice without Nppb. "When we Nppb-deficient mice exposed some itch-inducing substances, it was amazing to watch," said Santosh Mishra, lead author of the study. "Nothing happened. Rats will not scratch."
"The receptor was exactly in the right place in the dorsal horn," added study co-author Mark Hoon. "We go a step further and removed the NPRA neurons of the spinal cord. We want to see if their removal would short-circuit the itch, and it was."
Through their research, the scientists learned some other interesting facts about Nppb too.
"It is released by the heart," said Hoon Time, "to control blood sodium and blood pressure.'s Biological foundation that many neurotransmitters are used in various parts of the body for different purposes."
So, does that mean it's time to take a celebratory dive into poison ivy? Are humans no longer have to worry about disturbing itch?
Not exactly. Hoon said doctors now will be faced with two undesirable options: Influence of blood pressure control or Nppb injected directly into the spinal cord, which, he noted dryly, "is not a trivial thing to do."
Meanwhile, the authors of the study hope to solve the other end of the equation, to find out why the itching stops.
"Now the challenge is to find a similar biocircuitry on people, evaluates what is, and identify unique molecules that can be targeted for lethal chronic itching without causing undesirable side effects," Hoon said in a release accompanying the study. "So, this is the beginning, not the end."
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