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Zhou-Feng Chen, PhD, director of the Center for the Study of Itch & Sensory Disorders at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, alongside his team, identified a neural circuit and a neuropeptide in mice — a chemical messenger that carries signals between nerve cells — that transmit the sensation known as pleasant touch from the skin to the brain.

A new mechanism involved in the sensation of itching has been found in mice.

The encoding of itch by peripheral and central neural circuits is a topic of long-standing interest in the somatosensory field. Here, Zhou-Feng Chen outlines a model for itch coding that emphasizes the role of neuropeptides in conveying itch information from the periphery to the spinal cord.

A team led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified, in mice, specific cells and proteins that control the sneeze reflex. Better understanding of what causes us to sneeze — specifically how neurons behave in response to allergens and viruses — may point to treatments capable of slowing the spread of infectious respiratory diseases.

The new exciting study reveals a novel pathway for acute allergic itch that is resistant to antihistamines, a debilitating condition associated with patients who already suffer from chronic itch such as atopic dermatitis.

A new study, from Dr. Zhou-Feng Chen’s team, reveals a novel neural circuit that converts innocuous light touch into an irritating itch sensation. Tac2 neurons receive light touch information and convey it to GRPR neurons, which convert it into irritating itch.

Using novel genetic tools, Dr. Zhou-Feng Chen’s team has demonstrated the role of GRP in nonhistaminergic itch in sensory neurons and GRP primary afferents are dedicated to the itch transmission.

Brian S. Kim, MD, has found that boosting the number of natural killer cells in the blood is a possible treatment strategy for the skin condition, eczema, and also may help with related health problems, such as asthma.

Congratulation to Dr. Hongzhen Hu!  A new study explains why getting old may make you itchy.  Read news Record, Science, Live Science, UPI, Science Alert, PainWeek, people.cn.

Dr. Zhou-Feng Chen’s team reveals why agonists targeting kappa opioid receptor can be used to treat chronic itch. Read news here.