Itching sensation felt by not only humans, but also all kinds of animals. Now scientists have discovered that nerve cells associated with the sensation of itch. The findings were considered as a major breakthrough to relieve itching.
Many experts suspect the original pain and itch receptors linked. But the team from Johns Hopkins University found that dMrgprA3+ nerve cells specifically detect itching sensation and not detect pain.
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| Scientists have discovered specific nerves responsible for sensing itch. The new discovery could lead to better anti-itch treatments. (Picture from: http://www.livescience.com/) |
"Scientists have been looking for the specialized cells that itch for several decades," the researchers said in a paper published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, last week. "The existence of these neurons had doubted following observation that neurons also responded to painful stimuli."
To identify cells itching, Xinzhong Dong, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University, genetically modify mice with nerve cells glow green when the itch strikes.
The researchers then put some compounds in the rat, as histamina and the active ingredient in itching powder in order to find the nerve that glowed green. The researchers then deadly nerve on, and found the mice whose skin rash carded a lot less.
Xinzhong Dong and his team hope they can silence the cells in order to develop a better treatment of itching, "Our study opens up new avenues to study itch and develop anti-pruritic therapy," they said.
Nerves itching inside the spine, near the spinal cord, and only respond to the location on the skin. "That explains why people feel compelled to scratch their skin, but it does not itch internal organs," said Dong. "You can not have a pancreas that itch." *** [ERWIN Z | DAILYMAIL | LIVESCIENCE | KORAN TEMPO 4101]
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