Scratch That

Itching is a familiar irritating sensation, detected by sensory neurons connecting the skin to the spinal cord. The cell bodies of these neurons, the sections containing their nuclei, are gathered with those of other sensory neurons in clusters beside the spinal cord, known as dorsal root ganglia (pictured is one of these, with neurons responsible for itch in green). To communicate their message to spinal interneurons, itch neurons use a neurotransmitter named NPPB, which connects to a specific receptor, NPR1. Eliminating NPPB or interneurons carrying NPR1 suppresses itching in mice, and their interaction is likely to be key in humans too. Recent research uncovered several compounds that block both mouse and human versions of NPR1, and at least one of these can prevent itching in mice. While still far from clinical applications, investigating these inhibitory compounds could help explore potential ways of bringing relief to patients suffering from chronic itch.

Written by Emmanuelle Briolat

Emmanuelle Briolat

Writer

A researcher specialising in visual signals in Lepidoptera, camouflage and the effects of light pollution, Emmanuelle’s writing covers a range of topics, from biomedical research to children’s books about moth defences.

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• Image by Hans Juergen Solinski, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
• Molecular Genetics Section, NIDCR/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
• Image copyright held by the original authors
• Research published in Science Translational Medicine, July 2019