The long-term objective of this work is to understand the skin-brain mechanisms of pruritus in health and disease. Pruritus is the most common dermatological symptom and in its chronic form has a profound impact on quality of life. Recent research has shown a central processing of experimentally-induced itch in healthy subjects but this has not been assessed in disease states as of yet. One long-standing enigma of pruritus research relates to the underlying mechanism of the viscous """"""""itch-scratch cycle"""""""". Given the well documented role of opioids in addiction and hedonism, the possible peripheral release of these neuropeptides through scratching may not only further augment the perception of pruritus through peripheral and central mechanisms, it may also contribute to the compulsion to continue scratching.
The aims of this application are: 1) to identify neural networks responsible for sensory and affective dimensions of chronic itch, 2) to identify neural networks that attenuate the perception of itch in health and disease, and 3) to test the hypothesis that the compulsion to scratch is mediated through the release of dermal opioids.
These aims will be investigated with the use of functional MRI (fMRI) employing the emerging technique of arterial spin labeling, psychophysical assessments, itch questionnaires and dermal microdialysis. By identifying neural networks that underlying and attenuate pathological itch, important mechanistic knowledge will be gained ultimately facilitating the development of novel therapies for this unmet medical need. Additionally, this study will provide translational information of utmost importance to the underlying mechanisms of the """"""""itch-scratch cycle"""""""". Narrative. This study aims to identify neural networks that underlie and attenuate chronic itch and in doing so, will facilitate the development of novel therapies for this distressing symptom. Additionally, this study will provide translational information of utmost importance to the underlying mechanisms of the """"""""itch-scratch cycle"""""""".

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR055902-04
Application #
8098922
Study Section
Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Study Section (ACTS)
Program Officer
Cibotti, Ricardo
Project Start
2008-09-01
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2011-07-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$66,715
Indirect Cost
Name
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
937727907
City
Winston-Salem
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27157
Papoiu, Alexandru D P; Kraft, Robert A; Coghill, Robert C et al. (2015) Butorphanol suppression of histamine itch is mediated by nucleus accumbens and septal nuclei: a pharmacological fMRI study. J Invest Dermatol 135:560-568
Nattkemper, L A; Lee, H G; Valdes-Rodriguez, R et al. (2015) Cholinergic induction of perspiration attenuates nonhistaminergic pruritus in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis and healthy controls. Br J Dermatol 173:282-4
Mochizuki, Hideki; Papoiu, Alexandru D P; Nattkemper, Leigh A et al. (2015) Scratching Induces Overactivity in Motor-Related Regions and Reward System in Chronic Itch Patients. J Invest Dermatol 135:2814-2823
Papoiu, Alexandru D P; Emerson, Nichole M; Patel, Tejesh S et al. (2014) Voxel-based morphometry and arterial spin labeling fMRI reveal neuropathic and neuroplastic features of brain processing of itch in end-stage renal disease. J Neurophysiol 112:1729-38
Bin Saif, G A; McMichael, A; Kwatra, S G et al. (2013) Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia severity is associated with cowhage-induced itch. Br J Dermatol 168:253-6
Tey, Hong Liang; Wallengren, Joanna; Yosipovitch, Gil (2013) Psychosomatic factors in pruritus. Clin Dermatol 31:31-40
Nattkemper, Leigh A; Zhao, Zhong-Qiu; Nichols, Anna J et al. (2013) Overexpression of the gastrin-releasing peptide in cutaneous nerve fibers and its receptor in the spinal cord in primates with chronic itch. J Invest Dermatol 133:2489-2492
Papoiu, Alexandru D P; Coghill, Robert C; Kraft, Robert A et al. (2012) A tale of two itches. Common features and notable differences in brain activation evoked by cowhage and histamine induced itch. Neuroimage 59:3611-23
Tey, Hong Liang; Yosipovitch, Gil (2012) Report on the 6th World Congress of Itch. J Invest Dermatol 132:1065-7
Bin Saif, G A; Papoiu, A D P; Banari, L et al. (2012) The pleasurability of scratching an itch: a psychophysical and topographical assessment. Br J Dermatol 166:981-5

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