Elucidation of the role of dopaminergic neural systems in the development of neural mechanisms of itch

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460705
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pain science
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: OGATA MASANORI 北里大学, 医療衛生学部, 講師 (20194425)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 石橋 仁 北里大学, 医療衛生学部, 教授 (50311874) ; 歌 大介 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(薬学), 助教 (70598416)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Noda Kazuko 北里大学, 医療衛生学部, 講師 (60050704)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 幼若期ドーパミン神経系傷害 / 痒み感覚 / 体性感覚系の発達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of neonatal dopamine (DA) depletion on itch-related responses during the adulthood using behavioral, histological and electrophysiological methods. Serotonin (5-TH) was injected into middle plantar region of the hid paw, as an itch-inducing substance. The results indicated that neonatal DA depletion caused significant decrease in number of itch-related behavior during the adulthood, but no change in threshold of 5-HT for the inducing itch-related behavior. In the histological and electrophysiological analyses, the spinal neurons that responded to the 5-HT injected into the hid paw were located in the superficial layer (laminae I-II), and the neonatal DA depletion did not affect the responsibility to the 5-HT in the spinal neurons.
These results indicated that dopaminergic neural system play a crucial part in development of mechanism for itch sensation.

Free Research Field

神経科学