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Papers of the Week
Electrical matrix stimulation suppresses acute itch independently of activation of sleeping nociceptors.
Authors
Schwarzenauer M, Rukwied RM, Lampert A, Rolke R, Namer BAbstract
Itch can be reduced by pain. Activation of sleeping nociceptors (CMi) is a crucial mechanism for the peripheral component of intense and long-lasting pain. Thus, activation of CMi might be especially effective in itch reduction. Electrical stimulation using sinusoidal pulses activates CMi with tolerable pain intensity, whereas short rectangular pulses with low intensity do not. In humans, histaminergic itch is mediated by histamine-sensitive CMi, whereas other pruritogens activate polymodal nociceptors (CM).