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. 2019 Dec;28(12):1439-1441.
doi: 10.1111/exd.13941. Epub 2019 May 15.

Why does stress aggravate itch? A possible role of the amygdala

Darya Pavlenko  1 , Tasuku Akiyama  1
Affiliations

Why does stress aggravate itch? A possible role of the amygdala

Darya Pavlenko et al. Exp Dermatol. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Stress is the exacerbating factor of itch across patients with chronic itch due to different origins. However, the precise mechanisms behind stress-induced exacerbation of itch remain unknown. Chronic stress induces hyperexcitability of the amygdala, the centre of emotional processing. Recent findings on the itch neuronal pathways support a pivotal role of the amygdala for itch processing. We hypothesized that itch is enhanced by stress through hyperexcitation of the amygdala. Modulation of amygdala activity, therefore, may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic itch.

Keywords: amygdala; anxiety; chronic itch; chronic stress; scratching.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors have declared no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. Schematic diagram of a neuronal pathway that illustrates the role of the amygdala in stress-induced exacerbation of itch
The figure shows the potential pathway through which itch signals can be projected into the amygdala. Itch signals are processed through the spinothalamic pathways or spinoparabrachial pathway before being projected to the amygdala. When there is additional stress present in the environment this also acts upon the amygdala which causes an increase in negative reaction, anxiety, and itch.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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