Abstract
Scratching relieves itch, but the underlying neural mechanisms are poorly understood. We presently investigated a role for the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine in scratch-evoked inhibition of spinal itch-signaling neurons in a mouse model of chronic dry skin itch. Superficial dorsal horn neurons ipsilateral to hindpaw dry skin treatment exhibited a high level of spontaneous firing that was significantly attenuated by cutaneous scratching, pinch and noxious heat. Scratch-evoked inhibition was nearly abolished by spinal delivery of the glycine antagonist, strychnine, and was markedly attenuated by respective GABA A and GABA B antagonists bicuculline and saclofen. Scratch-evoked inhibition was also significantly attenuated (but not abolished) by interruption of the upper cervical spinal cord, indicating the involvement of both segmental and suprasegmental circuits that engage glycine- and GABA-mediated inhibition of spinal itch-signaling neurons by noxious counterstimuli.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | e22665 |
| Journal | PLoS One |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2011 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Transmitters and pathways mediating inhibition of spinal Itch-Signaling neurons by scratching and other counterstimuli. / Akiyama, Tasuku; Carstens, Mirela; Carstens, Earl.
In: PLoS One, Vol. 6, No. 7, e22665, 2011.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Transmitters and pathways mediating inhibition of spinal Itch-Signaling neurons by scratching and other counterstimuli
AU - Akiyama, Tasuku
AU - Carstens, Mirela
AU - Carstens, Earl
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Scratching relieves itch, but the underlying neural mechanisms are poorly understood. We presently investigated a role for the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine in scratch-evoked inhibition of spinal itch-signaling neurons in a mouse model of chronic dry skin itch. Superficial dorsal horn neurons ipsilateral to hindpaw dry skin treatment exhibited a high level of spontaneous firing that was significantly attenuated by cutaneous scratching, pinch and noxious heat. Scratch-evoked inhibition was nearly abolished by spinal delivery of the glycine antagonist, strychnine, and was markedly attenuated by respective GABA A and GABA B antagonists bicuculline and saclofen. Scratch-evoked inhibition was also significantly attenuated (but not abolished) by interruption of the upper cervical spinal cord, indicating the involvement of both segmental and suprasegmental circuits that engage glycine- and GABA-mediated inhibition of spinal itch-signaling neurons by noxious counterstimuli.
AB - Scratching relieves itch, but the underlying neural mechanisms are poorly understood. We presently investigated a role for the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine in scratch-evoked inhibition of spinal itch-signaling neurons in a mouse model of chronic dry skin itch. Superficial dorsal horn neurons ipsilateral to hindpaw dry skin treatment exhibited a high level of spontaneous firing that was significantly attenuated by cutaneous scratching, pinch and noxious heat. Scratch-evoked inhibition was nearly abolished by spinal delivery of the glycine antagonist, strychnine, and was markedly attenuated by respective GABA A and GABA B antagonists bicuculline and saclofen. Scratch-evoked inhibition was also significantly attenuated (but not abolished) by interruption of the upper cervical spinal cord, indicating the involvement of both segmental and suprasegmental circuits that engage glycine- and GABA-mediated inhibition of spinal itch-signaling neurons by noxious counterstimuli.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79960765251&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0022665
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0022665
M3 - Article
C2 - 21818363
AN - SCOPUS:79960765251
VL - 6
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 7
M1 - e22665
ER -