IISc Brain Study Explains Why Stress Stops Itching for Some People

Scientists at IISc discovered a brain circuit that turns off itching during stress. This finding is important because it could lead to new ways to help people with constant itching.
By Newsroom | Health, Science |

A recent study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has uncovered a specific neural pathway within the brain that explains how stress can reduce the sensation of itching. This discovery offers insight into the complex interplay between emotional states and physical sensations, with potential implications for understanding and treating chronic itch conditions that impact a significant portion of the global population.

Background of the Study

Chronic itching is a widespread health issue affecting millions. While it has been observed that stress can sometimes alleviate itch, the underlying biological processes have remained unclear. Scientists have long suspected that the brain plays a crucial role in mediating this relationship, given that stress and anxiety are often linked to sensory experiences.

IISc researchers find out how the brain suppresses itch during stress - 1

Key Findings on Neural Circuits

The IISc research team focused on identifying the specific neurons responsible for this stress-induced itch suppression. Their work, published in the journal Cell Reports, pinpoints a circuit that becomes active during stressful conditions.

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  • Neural Activation: The study identified specific neurons that are activated when the brain experiences stress.

  • Itch Regulation: These stress-activated neurons were found to have a direct role in controlling the feeling of itch.

  • Experimental Evidence: When researchers artificially stimulated these stress neurons in experiments, they observed a notable decrease in scratching behavior.

Experimental Validation

To confirm their hypothesis, the researchers conducted experiments where they artificially activated the identified stress-related neurons.

  • Reduced Scratching: This artificial activation led to a reduction in scratching in two distinct scenarios:

  • Short-term itch induced by chemicals.

  • A model simulating chronic itch, similar to that experienced in psoriasis.

  • Behavioral Change: The results suggest a direct causal link between the activity of these specific neurons and the suppression of the urge to scratch.

Broader Implications

The findings provide a fundamental understanding of how the brain processes sensory information in the context of stress.

  • Complex Interactions: This research sheds light on the intricate connection between psychological states like stress and anxiety, and physical sensations such as itch.

  • Potential Therapeutic Avenues: While further research is needed, identifying this neural circuit could potentially open doors for new strategies to manage chronic itch by targeting the brain's stress-response pathways.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) discover about stress and itching?
Researchers at IISc found a specific pathway in the brain that explains how stress can stop the feeling of itching. They identified certain brain cells that become active during stress and control the itch sensation.
Q: How did the IISc researchers test their findings on stress and itch suppression?
The scientists did experiments where they turned on these specific stress-related brain cells. When they did this, they saw that the subjects scratched much less, both for short-term itches and for a type of long-term itch.
Q: Why is this discovery about the brain and stress important for people?
This study helps us understand the connection between our feelings, like stress, and physical feelings, like itching. It could lead to new treatments for people who suffer from long-lasting itch problems by targeting how the brain handles stress.
Q: Where was this research on stress and itching published?
The findings from the IISc researchers were published in a science journal called *Cell Reports*. News about this discovery was also reported by The Hindu and Medical Xpress recently.