Biomed Radio - Washington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis

Researchers have found how sensory nerve cells work together to transmit itch signals from the skin to the spinal cord, where neurons then carry those signals to the brain. Their discovery may explain why some people experience various types of itching, including chronic itching, and help scientists find ways to make some types of itching stop. The researchers report that by interfering with the activity of sensory neurons, they may be able to inhibit multiple types of itching. THERE ARE SPECIFIC NEURONS IN THE SPINAL CORD THAT CARRY ITCH SIGNALS TO THE BRAIN, BUT BEFORE THOSE CELLS CAN BE ACTIVATED, OTHER SENSORY CELLS MUST PROCESS AND TRANSMIT ITCH SIGNALS. NOW, RESEARCHERS AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS HAVE IDENTIFIED CHANNELS IN NERVE CELLS THAT CARRY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ITCH SIGNALS TO THE SPINAL CORD. AND THE FINDINGS MAY GIVE SCIENTISTS NEW TARGETS TO HELP BLOCK OR RELIEVE ITCHING IN SOME PATIENTS. JIM DRYDEN HAS MORE… THE RESEARCHERS STUDIED HOW ITCH SIGNALS ARE PROCESSED