Suppression of scratching-induced pleasurable sensation by compression nerve blocking and its association with itch relief. Issue 2 (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mochizuki, Hideki; Shevchenko, Alina; Nattkemper, Leigh A.; Valdes-Rodriguez, Rodrigo; Yosipovitch, Gil
• Is Part Of: Itch. Volume 2:Issue 2(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: itch -- scratch -- itch relief -- pleasurability -- peripheral nerve fibers -- nerve blocking
• DOI: 10.1097/itx.0000000000000007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2380-5048

Abstract

Abstract : Itch can be suppressed by scratching. At the same time, scratching evokes a pleasurable sensation. In the present study, we investigated the peripheral mechanism of scratching-induced pleasurability and its association with itch relief using compression nerve block. We found that myelinated nerve fibers (Aβ-fibers and possibly Aδ-fibers), are involved in transmission of scratching-induced pleasurability. We observed that itch relief effect was the same regardless of whether the pleasurable sensation was evoked by scratching an itch, indicating that pleasure is not a necessary component to induce itch relief. This is the first study to investigate the peripheral mechanism of scratching-induced pleasurability and itch relief. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.