Effects of scratching and other counterstimuli on responses of trigeminothalamic tract neurons to itch-inducing stimuli in rats
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Counterstimuli such as scratching, pinching, noxious heat and cold, and innocuous cooling and warming have been shown to inhibit itch in humans. In the present study, the effects of each of these counterstimuli were determined on baseline firing rates and on sustained pruriceptive responses of rat trigeminothalamic tract neurons. We found that scratching had little, if any, effect on baseline firing levels but greatly reduced mean pruriceptive firing following scratching for nearly 1 min. None of the other noxious or innocuous counterstimuli significantly inhibited pruriceptive responses. Our results indicate that scratching, but not other counterstimuli, significantly reduces itch-induced responses of trigeminothalamic tract neurons.
Source: Journal of Neurophysiology
Authors: Brett Lipshetz, Glenn J. Giesler
Institution: University of Minnesota
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2170980437