Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Laurent Misery
Summary: Pain can be classified into nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, and nociplastic pain; similarly, itch can be classified into pruriplastic pruritus. Proper classification of pain and itch can help in better treating chronic pain and itch.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Manuel Pedro Pereira, Martin Schmelz, Sonja Staender
Summary: Neuropathic pruritus conditions result from damage to the nervous system, and novel findings strengthen the specificity theory of pruritus transmission. Activation of nociceptors and specific discharge patterns of primary afferents also contribute to itch development. Interactions between excitatory and inhibitory interneurons, non-neuronal cells, and descending modulation from upper centers contribute to neuronal sensitization, leading to chronic itch and accompanying phenomena.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Laurent Misery, Emilie Brenaut, Ophelie Pierre, Raphaele Le Garrec, Olivier Gouin, Nicolas Lebonvallet, Claire Abasq-Thomas, Matthieu Talagas, Christelle Le Gall-Ianotto, Catherine Besner-Morin, Joachim W. Fluhr, Cyril Leven
Summary: Until recently, limited understanding and effectiveness in relieving itch were common, but current progress in knowledge of itch processing and therapeutic pathways has led to a variety of compounds being tested in clinical trials, with inhibitors of IL-31, IL-4/13, NK1 receptors, opioids and cannabinoids, JAK, PDE4, or TRP being the main ones. Further exploration into new targets such as Mas-related GPCRs and unexpected pathways is also needed.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
N. E. E. Van Loey, A. E. E. de Jong, H. W. C. Hofland, A. I. M. van Laarhoven
Summary: This study aimed to document neuropathic pain symptoms and identify different itch symptom profiles in burn survivors. It found that chronic itch and pain were associated with higher burn severity and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Further research should focus on skin innervation and psychological factors.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ubaid Khan, Bilal Ahmad, Ayesha Aslam, Aiman Muhammad, Javed Iqbal
Summary: This case report emphasizes the importance of recognizing atypical variants of Wallenberg syndrome, such as Opalski syndrome, in order to provide a correct diagnosis and the most effective treatment. People with Opalski syndrome may have a poor prognosis and require continuous monitoring.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Haya S. Raef, Sarina B. Elmariah
Summary: This review discusses common conditions associated with vulvar itch, including atopic and contact dermatitis, lichen sclerosus, psoriasis, and infectious vulvovaginitis. It reviews potential physiologic, environmental, and infectious factors contributing to the development of vulvar itch, emphasizing the importance of addressing their complex interplay in managing this disruptive and challenging symptom.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kazue Hisaoka-Nakashima, Kodai Moriwaki, Natsuki Yoshimoto, Toshiki Yoshii, Yoki Nakamura, Yukio Ago, Norimitsu Morioka
Summary: Neuropathic pain causes severe pain and comorbidities such as cognitive impairment, which are not effectively treated with current analgesics. This study demonstrates the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in neuropathic pain and cognitive impairment. Blocking the IL-6 receptor improves cognitive impairment, while inhibiting IL-6 activity reduces allodynia.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ji Yeong Kim, Yong Ho Lee, Ji Young Kim, Hyun Hwa Lee, Young Hoon Kim
Summary: A 37-year-old woman with severe intractable pain below the T5 level following Sjogren's syndrome-induced transverse myelitis underwent treatment with an intrathecal pump, resulting in effective pain control and improved functional independence.
Article
Neurosciences
Seunghee Na, Dar Eun Jung, Eunbyol Hwang, Taewon Kim
Summary: In this study, we present a rare case of persistent intractable nausea and vomiting after a medullary infarction caused by Area postrema syndrome. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ischemic lesion in the lateral medulla. The symptoms of sustained nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake persisted even after other treatments failed, but eventually resolved with the concomitant use of oral domperidone and itopride, in addition to intravenous metoclopramide with ondansetron.
JOURNAL OF STROKE & CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Junwen Deng, Varsha Parthasarathy, Melika Marani, Zachary Bordeaux, Kevin Lee, Chi Trinh, Hannah L. Cornman, Anusha Kambala, Thomas Pritchard, Shihua Chen, Nishadh Sutaria, Olusola O. Oladipo, Madan M. Kwatra, Martin P. Alphonse, Shawn G. Kwatra
Summary: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by nodules on the trunk and extremities. This study examines the inflammatory, neuropathic, and structural pathways in PN and compares them to atopic dermatitis (AD). Transcriptomic analysis and immunohistochemistry reveal increased neurotrophic and extracellular matrix remodeling signatures in PN compared to AD. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of PN and suggest potential therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ronald J. Sokol, Emmanuel M. Gonzales, Binita M. Kamath, Alastair Baker, Pamela Vig, Douglas B. Mogul, Will Garner, Bettina E. Hansen, Emmanuel Jacquemin, Richard J. Thompson
Summary: Improvement in pruritus by 48 weeks, and lower W48 bilirubin and serum bile acid levels were associated with fewer events in patients with Alagille syndrome (ALGS) treated with maralixibat (MRX).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nobuhiko Nakajima, Yuichiro Ohnishi, Masamichi Yamamoto, Daiki Setoyama, Hirohiko Imai, Tomofumi Takenaka, Mari Matsumoto, Koichi Hosomi, Yoichi Saitoh, Hidemasa Furue, Haruhiko Kishima
Summary: Intractable neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (NP-SCI) reduces a patient's quality of life. Excessive buildup of intracellular ATP at the lesion site leads to the release of ATP with mechanical stimulation, causing NP-SCI. Neuroinflammation plays an important role in this process.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Yannick J. G. M. Plantaz, Robert T. M. van Dongen, Richard L. Witkam, Kris C. P. Vissers, Hans Timmerman
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on sensory, pain, and tolerance thresholds in patients with PSPS through quantitative sensory testing (QST). The results show that SCS treatment leads to a decrease in pain complaints and analgesics use, as well as a significant improvement in quality of life.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samantha K. Millard, Klara Bokelmann, Rik Schalbroeck, Nic J. A. van der Wee, Nancy E. E. van Loey, Antoinette I. M. van Laarhoven
Summary: This study investigated the cortical oscillatory processes involved in chronic post-burn itch and found no statistical differences in oscillatory activity between patients and healthy controls. However, there may be associations between post-traumatic stress symptoms and duration of chronic itch with changes in oscillatory activity. The results suggest that itch symptoms may have a localized character in this sample of patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Miriam M. Duell, Martina Stengel, Vivien Ries, Marion Strupf, Peter W. Reeh, Andreas E. Kremer, Barbara Namer
Summary: LPA can cause pain and itch in humans depending on the mode of application and activates afferent human C fibers.