A subpopulation of nociceptors specifically linked to itch

http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v16/n2/full/nn.3289.html Excerpt from the abstract: “We genetically labeled and manipulated MrgprA3+ neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and found that they exclusively innervated the epidermis of the skin and responded to multiple pruritogens. Ablation of MrgprA3+ neurons led to substantial reductions in scratching evoked by multiple pruritogens and occurring spontaneously under chronic itch conditions, whereas pain sensitivity remained intact.”
Source: neurodudes - Category: Neurologists Authors: Tags: Medicine itch Source Type: blogs