Brain activation induced by the itch stimuli in atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

Hypersensitivity of pruritus is the main features of atopic dermatitis. The lower threshold of itch is called “sensitization” under this condition. It has been suggested that both peripheral and central sensitization are involved in itch of atopic dermatitis. Recent neuroimaging studies are focused on brain imaging of histamineinduced itch in humans. In healthy humans, acute histamine-induced itch coactivates the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the insular and primary somatosensory cortices, premotor and supplementary motor areas, the prefrontal cortex and thalamus. In contrast, the patients with atopic dermatitis exhibited more broad areas of brain than healthy subjects. These results may suggest the strong itch intensity of atopic dermatitis patients.Skin Research, Suppl. 18: 17-19, 2012