Coding of Itch Sources

Almost two centuries ago, Johannes Muller proposed the idea of “specific nerve energies”. Von Frey applied this idea to touch versus pain, calling it the Specificity Theory. Here this idea is extended to itch versus pain.

Von Frey also developed the Intensity Theory of itch versus pain. These theories, as well as the Pattern Theory and the first description of the still popular Selectivity Theory, are described in a great review article by McMahon and Koltzenburg.

The Wheel Theory was proposed by Graham and Goodall in the 1950’s to explain how a pinprick could inhibit itch. This model raises the idea of tonically active neural circuits in the spinal cord whose disruption blocks itch.

More recently, Zhou-Feng Chen reported that gastrin releasing peptide mediates itch ( Sun and Chen, 2007) leading to the GRP Theory of itch, while Barbara Namer and Peter Reeh described the Spatial Contrast Theory to explain how punctate application of capsaicin causes itch rather than pain.

References:

1. McMahon S.B. and M. Koltzenburg (1992). “Itching for an Explanation”. Trends in Neuroscience 15(12): 497-501

2. Graham, D.T., H. Goodell, and H.G. Wolff. 1951. Neural mechanisms involved in itch, itchy skin, and tickle sensation. The Journal of clinical investigation. 30 (1):37-49

3. Sun, Y.G., Z.Q. Zhao, et al. (2009). “Cellular basis of itch sensation.” Science 325(5947): 1531-1534

4. Namer, D. and P.Reeh (2013). “Scratching an itch.” Nature neuroscience 16(2):117-118.