It's a Real Headscratcher: How do the Body and Brain Generate and Percieve Itch Sensations?

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IT’S A REAL HEADSCRATCHER: HOW DO THE BODY AND BRAIN GENERATE AND PERCEIVE ITCH SENSATIONS?

Emerging research explores diversity in the triggers and nerve pathways that mediate itch;
findings may help in the development of new treatments

Washington, DC — Got an itch? How your brain processes the sensation — and how well scratching relieves it — may depend on the source of the itch, according to a new study released today at Neuroscience 2008, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world’s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health. This and other recent itch research is providing insight into the neurobiology of itch, which, when chronic, substantially impairs the quality of life. View full release.