Contagious itch can be induced in humans but not in rodents

Lu, Jing-Shan; Chen, Qi-Yu; Zhou, Si-Bo; Wu, Feng-Yi; Liu, Renhao; Zhou, Zhaoxiang; Zhang, Hua; Zhuo, Min

doi:10.1186/s13041-019-0455-2

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…(P42–P84) and Lu et al . (P42–P56) who performed similar assays that assessed for imitative scratching behaviors in mice 10 , 17 . Notably, previous studies have defined these age ranges as mid-late adolescence to adulthood 18 , 19 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mouse model of fragile X syndrome exhibits deficits in contagious itch behavior

Gonzales‐Rojas

Rana

Mason

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) imitate observed behavior less than age-matched and typically developing peers, resulting in deterred learning ability and social interaction. However, this deficit lacks preclinical assessment tools. A previous study has shown that mice exhibit contagious itch behavior while viewing a scratching demonstrator mouse, as opposed to an ambulating demonstrator mouse, but whether autism mouse models imitate observed scratching behavior remains unknown. Here, we investigated contagious itch behavior in the mouse model of fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common form of inherited intellectual disabilities with a high risk for ASDs. We found that the mouse model of FXS shows deficits in contagious itch behavior. Our findings can be used as a new preclinical assessment tool for measuring imitative deficits in the study of neurodevelopmental disorders including FXS.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mouse model of fragile X syndrome exhibits deficits in contagious itch behavior

Gonzales‐Rojas

Rana

Mason

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…2). However, other groups 102,103 failed to reproduce the imitative scratching behavior in normal mice observing demonstrator mice receiving histamine application, nor did they detect significant temporally contiguous scratching in observer mice. In addition, the total scratching bouts during the entire observation period was also not different between observers and control mice 103 .…”

Section: Brain Mechanisms Of Contagious Itchmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…In addition, the total scratching bouts during the entire observation period was also not different between observers and control mice 103 . Similarly, another study also failed to replicate contagious scratching in mice using an itching video-based paradigm, whereas itch sensation and responses were successfully elicited in humans 102 . Thus, whether mice can serve as a good animal model for studying contagious itch sensation is still debatable.…”

Section: Brain Mechanisms Of Contagious Itchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Central circuit mechanisms of itch

2020

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Itch, in particular chronic forms, has been widely recognized as an important clinical problem, but much less is known about the mechanisms of itch in comparison with other sensory modalities such as pain. Recently, considerable progress has been made in dissecting the circuit mechanisms of itch at both the spinal and supraspinal levels. Major components of the spinal neural circuit underlying both chemical and mechanical itch have now been identified, along with the circuits relaying ascending transmission and the descending modulation of itch. In this review, we summarize the progress in elucidating the neural circuit mechanism of itch at spinal and supraspinal levels.

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“…Various factors are assumed to play a role in this kind of itch induction. Besides classical conditioning, mirror neurons and empathy are discussed as contributing to mentally‐induced itch . For sensations induced by substances, it has already been shown that they are altered by attention .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Itch induction by audiovisual stimuli and histamine iontophoresis: a randomized, controlled noninferiority study

et al. 2019

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Summary Background Previous research has mainly used skin‐manipulating methods to induce itch. In comparison, itch induced by audiovisual stimuli lacks direct skin manipulation. Objectives The aim of this double blind, noninferiority study was to test the experimental hypothesis that itch induced by audiovisual stimuli is noninferior to itch induced by histamine iontophoresis in case of priming and without priming. Methods In 80 of 160 healthy volunteers itch was induced by histamine iontophoresis, while in the other 80 itch was induced by audiovisual stimulation. Forty people in each group experienced either an initial resting phase or dermal priming. Itch intensity was measured by visual analogue scales, while scratch duration and frequency were video‐recorded and evaluated by two independent raters. In addition, itch quality and location were measured by self‐report. Results Itch induced by audiovisual stimuli was inferior to itch induced by histamine iontophoresis in the absence of dermal priming. However, in the case of priming, maximal itch induced by audiovisual stimuli was not inferior to maximal itch induced by histamine iontophoresis. Additionally, differences in itch quality and location were observed. Conclusions The finding that maximal audiovisually‐induced itch was comparable with maximal histamine itch only after priming emphasizes that attention plays a dominant role in mentally‐induced itch. The comparability of maximal histamine and audiovisually‐induced itch in the case of priming opens up new research opportunities. What's already known about this topic? Itch is a multidimensional sensation that is altered by, among other things, attention. To induce itch in basic research, different methods are used, which are partially invasive or cause skin manipulation. Noninvasive audiovisual stimuli can be used to induce itch. What does this study add? This study investigated whether itch induced by audiovisual stimuli is noninferior to itch induced by histamine iontophoresis. Itch induced by audiovisual stimuli is noninferior with regard to maximal intensity in the case of priming. Noninferiority was not shown in the case of no priming, emphasizing the role of attention in itch induction. Histamine and audiovisually‐induced itch differ in terms of quality and location, but not in affective reaction.

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Contagious itch can be induced in humans but not in rodents

Cited by 13 publications

References 30 publications

The mouse model of fragile X syndrome exhibits deficits in contagious itch behavior

The mouse model of fragile X syndrome exhibits deficits in contagious itch behavior

Central circuit mechanisms of itch

Itch induction by audiovisual stimuli and histamine iontophoresis: a randomized, controlled noninferiority study

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