It was learned why scratching the skin creates itching

Why is scratching an itch, and he, in turn, creates a desire to combing the skin? Scientists from the University of New York opened the mystery of why People can not stop when the cards themselves.

Scratching the skin

American scientists have found that scratching the skin   It causes the brain to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is due to enhanced itch . This gives rise to the vicious circle. Genetically programmed in the absence of serotonin mouse does not combed skin But when scientists they did injections of the substance, the mice started to itch, as well as other animals.

However, the study authors stress that block the production of serotonin in humans is impractical, so they studied the possibility of effects on cells that transmit signals itching . It was found that data signals pass through GRPR neurons from the skin to the brain. 5HT1A receptor is activated specific neurons GRPR. When scientists blocked the receptor, then click began combing itself much less frequently. It is on this principle are based fundamentally new medications for itching.

"The problem is, when the brain receives signals from pain during combing, it starts produce the neurotransmitter serotonin to deal with the pain - says Dr. Zhou-Feng Chen, lead researcher. - When serotonin It extends reach from the brain to the spine, the substance moves from neurons, sensory pain nerve cells that affects the intensity of the itch. "

Note that scientists have found role of serotonin in the control of pain several decades ago, but it was first It managed to link the production of the neurotransmitter with itching. (READ MORE)

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