Itching has its neurons

2010/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Anatomia/Fisiologia

Neuroscientists at the University of Washington discover essential neurons to feel itchy. In addition, they have proven that they have nothing to do with pain neurons.

In principle we easily separate itching from pain, but scientists did not know how to distinguish nervous systems. Two years ago, the same group of researchers found in mice bite-related receptors (GRPR receptors, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor), but the result was not entirely decisive, since the neurons containing these receptors saw that they also transmitted pain.

This time, researchers have found a way to destroy neurons with GRPR receptors. This has allowed them to check that mice without these neurons felt pain like others, but not itching. So they have managed to prove the suspect two years ago and have released the research in the journal Science. Some scientists believe it may be helpful in developing new medicines that not only relieve itching, but do not subtract the ability to feel pain.