2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
The cerebral mechanism of pleasure of scratching and excessive scratcing
| Project/Area Number |
24790584
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Research Field |
Pain science
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| Research Institution | National Institute for Physiological Sciences |
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Principal Investigator |
MOCHIZUKI Hideki 生理学研究所, 統合生理研究系, 特任助教 (40392443)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
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| Keywords | 痒み / 掻破 / 快感 / 脳機能イメージング |
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| Research Abstract |
Excessive scratching is a significant problem for patients with chronic itch such as atopic dermatitis. One of causes of the excessive scratching is considered to be associated with pleasure induced by scratching. However, its cerebral mechanism was still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate this mechanism in humans using functional brain imaging techniques. As a result, it was suggested that the reward system such as the midbrain and striatum, primary somatosensory cortex and insular cortex are associated with scratching-induced pleasantness. Moreover, it was observed that activity in motor-related regions such as the supplementary motor area, premotor cortex and cerebellum significantly increased while plaesurable feelings were evoked by scratching. The enhanced activity can explain why pleasure of scratching reinforces and motivates scratching behavior.
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