1
|
Moon S, Stasikowska-Kanicka O, Wągrowska-Danilewicz M, Hawro M, Metz M, Maurer M, Hawro T. Clinically uninvolved but not healthy-The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis is primed for itch and inflammation. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024; 38:1089-1100. [PMID: 38063249 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent inflammatory skin disorder characterized by episodic exacerbations and remissions. Why the clinically healthy skin of AD patients becomes rapidly inflamed and very pruritic is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate cowhage- and histamine-induced itch and skin expression levels of their target receptors in lesional and non-lesional skin of AD, compared to the skin of patients with psoriasis, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and healthy subjects. METHODS Patients with AD, psoriasis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) as well as healthy control subjects (HC) (n = 20 each) were assessed for differences in itch parameters, neurogenic flare reaction and local blood flow responses to skin provocations with cowhage and histamine. Skin biopsies from 10 AD, 10 psoriasis,11 CSU and 12 HC were obtained to assess expression of protease-activated receptors 2 and 4 (PAR-2, PAR-4), histamine H1 and H4 receptors (H1R, H4R), and mast cells. RESULTS Provocation of non-lesional skin of AD patients with cowhage resulted in prolonged itch (p = 0.020), which was not observed in psoriasis and CSU. Significantly prolonged and more intense cowhage- and histamine-induced itch (for duration, peak and overall intensity) was also observed in lesional AD skin. Diminished neurogenic flare reaction and blood flow after histamine provocation were shown in AD and psoriasis patients. Non-lesional AD skin along with lesional AD and psoriasis skin showed an increased expression of PAR-2 and PAR-4, H1R and H4R. Mast cell number was higher in lesional AD and psoriasis skin (p = 0.006 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION The non-lesional skin of AD patients markedly differs from healthy skin in cowhage-induced itch responses and the expression of receptors for proteases and histamine. Proactive therapeutic interventions that downregulate these receptors may prevent episodic exacerbation in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Moon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - O Stasikowska-Kanicka
- Department of Diagnostic Techniques in Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - M Wągrowska-Danilewicz
- Department of Diagnostic Techniques in Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - M Hawro
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology, Institute and Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - M Metz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Maurer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - T Hawro
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology, Institute and Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gorito V, Brandão M, Azevedo I, Moreira A, Lucas R. Atopic dermatitis in early life and pain at 10 years of age: An exploratory study. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:2239-2249. [PMID: 38400917 PMCID: PMC11035428 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Pain is a distinctive burden in atopic dermatitis and recognized as an important and highly prevalent symptom. It is unknown if the presence of atopic disease may sensitize children to adverse pain profiles in the long term. We aimed to assess the impact of early-life atopic dermatitis-like symptoms on pain at 10 years of age. We used data from 1302 and 874 participants of the Generation XXI birth cohort evaluated at 6 and 15 months, respectively, and 10 years. Atopy-like symptoms since birth, including atopic dermatitis, were collected at ages 6 and 15 months by interviewing parents. Pain history in the last 3 months at age 10 was collected from parents and children using structured questionnaires. We computed relative risks (RR) and respective 95% confidence intervals of pain features at age 10 according to each atopic-like symptom at 6 and 15 months. Children whose parents reported atopic dermatitis-like symptoms at 6 months and at 15 months had higher risk of reporting any pain (RR 1.75 [1.15-2.66]) and multisite pain, respectively (RR 1.67 [1.18-2.37]) at 10 years of age. Conclusion: Atopic dermatitis symptoms in early life were associated with a higher risk of pain at age 10, suggesting that potential for sensitization during the first decade of life and highlighting the importance of improving the health care of children with atopic dermatitis is worth investigating. What is Known: • Atopic disorders have been associated with many non-atopic comorbidities, including chronic pain. • Pain and atopic dermatitis share common inflammatory pathways. Inflammation, injury to the skin from scratching, fissures, and intolerance to irritants related to atopic dermatitis can cause pain. What is New: • Atopic dermatitis in early life is linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing pain at the age of 10, which suggests that exploring the potential for sensitization is a worthwhile area of investigation. • Our proof-of-concept study highlights the potential benefit of studying management targets and improving itching and relieving skin pain as quickly as possible, avoiding potential long-term consequences of the sensitization process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Gorito
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública e Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Pediatria e Neonatologia, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Brandão
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública e Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 050-600, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Azevedo
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública e Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Pediatria Médica, UAG da Mulher e Criança, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - André Moreira
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública e Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal
- Unidade de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Lucas
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública e Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 050-600, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Biazus Soares G, Hashimoto T, Yosipovitch G. Atopic Dermatitis Itch: Scratching for an Explanation. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:978-988. [PMID: 38363270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pruritus is a cardinal symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD). The mechanisms underlying atopic itch involve intricate crosstalk among skin, immune components, and neural components. In this review, we explore these mechanisms, focusing on key players and interactions that induce and exacerbate itch. We discuss the similarities and differences between pruritus and pain in patients with AD as well as the relationship between pruritus and factors such as sweat and the skin microbiome. Furthermore, we explore novel targets that could provide significant itch relief in these patients as well as exciting future research directions to better understand atopic pruritus in darker skin types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Biazus Soares
- Miami Itch Center, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Gil Yosipovitch
- Miami Itch Center, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li CY, Chang WC, Chen MH, Tu PC, Chen TL, Chen CC, Chang YT, Chen YY, Bai YM. Correlation of Disease Severity, Proinflammatory Cytokines, and Reduced Brain Gray Matter Volumes in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatitis 2024. [PMID: 38634841 DOI: 10.1089/derm.2023.0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. However, few studies have investigated brain changes associated with chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that chronic inflammation might be related to brain structural alterations in patients with AD. Objectives: To investigate the association between disease severity (Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]), proinflammatory cytokines, and differences in brain gray matter (GM) volume in patients with AD. Methods: Nineteen patients with AD and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent clinical assessment and brain magnetic resonance imaging. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to analyze GM volume differences. Results: Patients with AD exhibited significantly decreased GM volume in many brain regions, such as bilateral precentral gyrus, right frontal pole, and right middle temporal gyrus (P < 0.001), compared with healthy subjects. Notably, in patients with AD, the GM volume in right middle temporal gyrus was negatively associated with both EASI score and proinflammatory cytokines (sIL-2R [soluble interleukin 2 receptor] and TNF-α receptor-1), whereas the GM volume in left precentral gyrus was negatively associated with both EASI score and proinflammatory cytokines (sIL-2R and CRP). Conclusion: Patients with AD demonstrated significant brain GM volume reduction in many brain regions, which is related to disease severity and proinflammatory cytokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yuan Li
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chen Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hong Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Tu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Li Chen
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chiang Chen
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ting Chang
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Yin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Mei Bai
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yi X, Wang X, Fu Y, Luo Y, Wang J, Han Z, Kuang Y, Chen X, Chen BT. Altered brain activity and cognitive impairment in patients with psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024; 38:557-567. [PMID: 38059666 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with psoriasis may have cognitive impairment. However, there is limited information regarding intrinsic brain activity and cognitive function in patients with psoriasis. OBJECTIVES This study aim to assess alterations of intrinsic brain activity and its association with cognitive function in patients with psoriasis. METHODS A total of 222 patients with psoriasis aged 18-70 years and 144 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled into this study. All subjects underwent brain resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychological testing. The rs-fMRI data were analysed for both intrinsic brain activity as indicated by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC). Correlative analysis of brain activity with cognitive assessment was performed. RESULTS Compared with the HCs, patients with psoriasis had worse cognitive performance in the Trail Making Test, Digit Span Test and Stroop Color-Word Test (p < 0.05). Patients with psoriasis showed decreased ALFF in the left superior frontal gyrus, the left medial superior frontal gyrus and the right precuneus gyrus; as well as enhanced ALFF in the left paracentral lobule (pFWE < 0.05). Significant correlations were noted between the altered ALFF in the four brain regions and cognitive assessment (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients with psoriasis had increased FC between the four brain regions with altered ALFF (seeds) and the left prefrontal gyrus, the left anterior cingulate gyrus, left superior parietal lobule and default mode network (DMN) regions such as the right precuneus gyrus, left inferior parietal lobule, right angular gyrus and bilateral inferior temporal gyrus (pFWE < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with psoriasis had altered brain activity and connectivity in the key brain areas within the DMN-prefrontal circuit. These brain changes may be the underlying neural correlates for cognitive functioning in patients with psoriasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Yi
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Fu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Dermatology, People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zaide Han
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yehong Kuang
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bihong T Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tupker RA, Rustemeyer T, Frölich M, Babri S, Soliman M, de Haan W, Hillebrand A. Functional brain alterations in symptomatic dermographism patients-An exploratory magnetoencephalography study. Exp Dermatol 2024; 33:e15023. [PMID: 38414092 DOI: 10.1111/exd.15023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Symptomatic dermographism (SD) is a common form of urticaria, which is triggered by stroking the skin. Brain involvement in its aetiology was investigated by means of magnetoencephalography (MEG) after provocation with histamine and dermography. Wheals were induced by histamine skin prick test and dermography in twelve SD patients and fourteen controls. Itch severity was scored on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Relative power and functional connectivity (FC) were measured using a 306-channel whole-head MEG system at baseline and 10 min after histamine and dermography, and contrasted between groups and conditions. Furthermore, wheal diameter and itch scores after these procedures were correlated with the MEG values. SD patients had higher itch scores after histamine and dermography. No significant group-differences were observed in relative power or FC for any condition. In both groups, power decreases were mostly observed in the beta band, and power increases in the alpha bands, after provocation, with more regions involved in patients compared to controls. Increased FC was seen after histamine in patients, and after dermography in controls. In patients only, dermography and histamine wheal size correlated with the alpha2 power in the regions of interest that showed significant condition effects after these procedures. Our findings may be cautiously interpreted as aberrant itch processing, and suggest involvement of the central nervous system in the aetiology of SD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ron A Tupker
- Dermatology Department, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Rustemeyer
- Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) Location University of Amsterdam, Dermatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mira Frölich
- Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) Location University of Amsterdam, Dermatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shakiba Babri
- Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) Location University of Amsterdam, Dermatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marwa Soliman
- Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) Location University of Amsterdam, Dermatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem de Haan
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center (VUmc) Amsterdam, Neurology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Hillebrand
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Medical Center (VUmc) Amsterdam, Neurology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc Amsterdam, Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imagin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems & Network Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang H, Wang M, Zhao X, Wang Y, Chen X, Su J. Role of stress in skin diseases: A neuroendocrine-immune interaction view. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:286-302. [PMID: 38128623 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress is a crucial factor in the development of many skin diseases, and the stigma caused by skin disorders may further increase the psychological burden, forming a vicious cycle of psychological stress leading to skin diseases. Therefore, understanding the relationship between stress and skin diseases is necessary. The skin, as the vital interface with the external environment, possesses its own complex immune system, and the neuroendocrine system plays a central role in the stress response of the body. Stress-induced alterations in the immune system can also disrupt the delicate balance of immune cells and inflammatory mediators in the skin, leading to immune dysregulation and increased susceptibility to various skin diseases. Stress can also affect the skin barrier function, impair wound healing, and promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby exacerbating existing skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and urticaria. In the present review, we explored the intricate relationship between stress and skin diseases from a neuroendocrine-immune interaction perspective. We explored the occurrence and development of skin diseases in the context of stress, the stress models for skin diseases, the impact of stress on skin function and diseases, and relevant epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Understanding the relationship between stress and skin diseases from a neuroendocrine-immune interaction perspective provides a comprehensive framework for targeted interventions and new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanyi Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Mi Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China; Department of Mental Health Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.
| | - Juan Su
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mahmoud O, Oladipo O, Mahmoud RH, Yosipovitch G. Itch: from the skin to the brain - peripheral and central neural sensitization in chronic itch. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1272230. [PMID: 37849619 PMCID: PMC10577434 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1272230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar to chronic pain, chronic itch is frequently linked to neural sensitization, a phenomenon wherein the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to stimuli. This process of neural sensitization of chronic itch is orchestrated by various signaling pathways and mediators in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. At the level of the peripheral nervous system, inflammation and neuroimmune interactions induce plastic changes to peripheral nerve fibers, thereby amplifying the transmission of itch signaling. Neural sensitization in the central nervous system occurs at both the spinal cord and brain levels. At the level of the spinal cord, it involves hyperactivity of itch-activating spinal pathways, dysfunction of spinal inhibitory circuits, and attenuation of descending supraspinal inhibitory pathways. In the brain, neural sensitization manifests as structural and functional changes to itch-associated brain areas and networks. Currently, we have a diverse array of neuroimmune-modulating therapies targeting itch neural sensitization mechanisms to help with providing relief to patients with chronic itch. Itch research is a dynamic and continually evolving field, and as we grow in our understanding of chronic itch mechanisms, so will our therapeutic toolbox. Further studies exploring the peripheral and central neural sensitization mechanisms in the context of chronic itch are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gil Yosipovitch
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami Itch Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li JN, Wu XM, Zhao LJ, Sun HX, Hong J, Wu FL, Chen SH, Chen T, Li H, Dong YL, Li YQ. Central medial thalamic nucleus dynamically participates in acute itch sensation and chronic itch-induced anxiety-like behavior in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2539. [PMID: 37137899 PMCID: PMC10156671 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38264-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Itch is an annoying sensation consisting of both sensory and emotional components. It is known to involve the parabrachial nucleus (PBN), but the following transmission nodes remain elusive. The present study identified that the PBN-central medial thalamic nucleus (CM)-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) pathway is essential for itch signal transmission at the supraspinal level in male mice. Chemogenetic inhibition of the CM-mPFC pathway attenuates scratching behavior or chronic itch-related affective responses. CM input to mPFC pyramidal neurons is enhanced in acute and chronic itch models. Specifically chronic itch stimuli also alter mPFC interneuron involvement, resulting in enhanced feedforward inhibition and a distorted excitatory/inhibitory balance in mPFC pyramidal neurons. The present work underscores CM as a transmit node of the itch signal in the thalamus, which is dynamically engaged in both the sensory and affective dimensions of itch with different stimulus salience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ni Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liu-Jie Zhao
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Han-Xue Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014040, China
| | - Feng-Ling Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Si-Hai Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu-Lin Dong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014040, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Long JH, Wang PJ, Li ZF, Yao J, Li X, Wu B, Sui JF, Liao J, Wang P, Li XF, Liu SL. Dysgranular retrosplenial cortex modulates histaminergic and nonhistaminergic itch processing. Behav Brain Res 2023; 443:114306. [PMID: 36682500 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Itch is an unpleasant sensation followed by an intense desire to scratch. Previous researches have advanced our understanding about the role of anterior cingulate cortex and prelimbic cortex in itch modulation, whereas little is known about the effects of retrosplenial cortex (RSC) during this process. Here we firstly confirmed that the neuronal activity of dysgranular RSC (RSCd) is significantly elevated during itch-scratching processing through c-Fos immunohistochemistry and fiber photometry recording. Then with designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs approaches, we found that pharmacogenetic inhibition of global RSCd neurons attenuated the number of scratching bouts as well as the cumulative duration of scratching bouts elicited by both 5-HT or compound 48/80 injection into rats' nape or cheek; selective inhibition of the pyramidal neurons in RSCd, or of the excitatory projections from caudal anterior cingulate cortex (cACC) to RSCd, demonstrated the similar effects of decreasing itch-related scratching induced by both 5-HT or compound 48/80. Pharmacogenetic intervention of the neuronal or circuitry activities did not affect rats' motor ability. This study presents direct evidence that pyramidal neurons in RSCd, and the excitatory projection from cACC to RSCd are critically involved in central regulation of both histaminergic and nonhistaminergic itch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hui Long
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China
| | - Pu-Jun Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Li
- Department of Foreign Languages, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Juan Yao
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Bing Wu
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jian-Feng Sui
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jun Liao
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401120, China.
| | - Shu-Lei Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Liu JJ, Li X, Guo J, Yu S, Yang S. Role of GRPR in Acupuncture Intervention in the "Itch-scratch Vicious Cycle" Spinal Circuit of Chronic Pruritus. Chin Med 2023; 18:2. [PMID: 36597164 PMCID: PMC9809006 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00706-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many previous studies have shown the potential antipruritic effect of acupuncture. This paper reviews the antipruritic mechanisms of acupuncture according to these aspects: sample characteristics, detail of intervention, and effects evaluation. The majority of research on acupuncture's antipruritic effect has focused on primary afferents of the peripheral mechanism. Relatively few studies, however, have addressed the central mechanisms. Combination the latest research achievements of chronic itch, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord may represent the first molecule identified that is dedicated to mediating the itch response and may provide an important therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pruritic conditions. Therefore, GRPR may be a new target for acupuncture to relieve itch in the future and provide new ideas for acupuncture intervention in the mechanisms of the spinal level of the "itch-scratch vicious cycle" of chronic itch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-jia Liu
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Xuemei Li
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Jing Guo
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Shuguang Yu
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China ,Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Acupuncture and Chronobiology, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Sha Yang
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XAcupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lada G, Talbot PS, Chinoy H, Warren RB, McFarquhar M, Kleyn CE. Brain structure and connectivity in psoriasis and associations with depression and inflammation; findings from the UK biobank. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100565. [PMID: 36471870 PMCID: PMC9719019 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory skin disease, coexisting with depression in up to 25% of patients. Little is known about the drivers of comorbidity, including shared neurobiology and depression brain imaging patterns in patients. An immune-mediated crosstalk between the brain and skin has been hypothesized in psoriasis. With the aim of investigating brain structure and connectivity in psoriasis in relation to depression comorbidity, we conducted a brain imaging study including the largest psoriasis patient sample to date (to our knowledge) and the first to investigate the role of depression and systemic inflammation in brain measures. Effects of coexisting psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which represents joint involvement in psoriasis and a higher putative inflammatory state, were further explored. Methods Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 1,048 UK Biobank participants were used (131 comorbid patients with psoriasis and depression, age-and sex-matched to: 131 non-depressed psoriasis patients; 393 depressed controls; and 393 non-depressed controls). Interaction effects of psoriasis and depression on volume, thickness and surface of a-priori defined regions of interest (ROIs), white matter tracts and 55x55 partial correlation resting-state connectivity matrices were investigated using general linear models. Linear regression was employed to test associations of brain measures with C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil counts. Results No differences in regional or global brain volumes or white matter integrity were found in patients with psoriasis compared to controls without psoriasis or PsA. Thickness in right precuneus was increased in psoriasis patients compared to controls, only when depression was present (β = 0.26, 95% CI [Confidence Intervals] 0.08, 0.44; p = 0.02). In further analysis, psoriasis patients who had PsA exhibited fronto-occipital decoupling in resting-state connectivity compared to patients without joint involvement (β = 0.39, 95% CI 0.13, 0.64; p = 0.005) and controls (β = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25, 0.74; p < 0.001), which was unrelated to depression comorbidity. Precuneus thickness and fronto-occipital connectivity were not predicted by CRP or neutrophil counts. Precuneus thickening among depressed psoriasis patients showed a marginal correlation with recurrent lifetime suicidality. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence for a combined effect of psoriasis and depression on the precuneus, which is not directly linked to systemic inflammation, and may relate to suicidality or altered somatosensory processing. The use of the UK Biobank may limit generalizability of results in populations with severe disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Lada
- Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Peter S. Talbot
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Hector Chinoy
- National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Richard B. Warren
- Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Martyn McFarquhar
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - C. Elise Kleyn
- Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang L, Zou Z, Yu S, Xiao X, Shi Y, Cao W, Liu Y, Zheng H, Zheng Q, Zhou S, Yao J, Deng Y, Yang Q, Chen S, Hao P, Li N, Li Y. Functional connectivity impairment of thalamus-cerebellum-scratching neural circuits in pruritus of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1026200. [PMID: 36340791 PMCID: PMC9630740 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1026200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pruritus of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is one of the most common and irritating sensations that severely affects the quality of life. However, the changes in the functional connectivity (FC) between thalamic subregions and other brain regions have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the potential changes in brain neural circuits by focusing on various subregions of the thalamus in patients with CSU pruritus to contribute to the understanding of chronic pruritus from the perspective of central mechanisms. A total of 56 patients with CSU and 30 healthy controls (HCs) completed the data analysis. Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), pruritus visual analog score (VAS-P), Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) values were collected to assess clinical symptoms. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis was used to assess relevant changes in the neural circuits of the brain. Compared to HCs, seeds within the caudal temporal thalamus (cTtha) on the right side of patients with CSU showed increased rs-FC with the cerebellum anterior lobe (CAL). Seeds within the lateral prefrontal thalamus (lPFtha) on the right side showed increased rs-FC with both CAL and pons, while those within the medial prefrontal thalamus (mPFtha) on the right side showed increased rs-FC with both CAL and the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on the right side. Seeds within the posterior parietal thalamus (PPtha) on the right side showed increased rs-FC with the cerebellum posterior lobe (CPL) on the left side. The UAS7 values and IgE levels were positively correlated with the rs-FC of the right dlPFC. Our results suggest that patients with CSU may exhibit stronger rs-FC alterations between certain thalamic subregions and other brain regions. These changes affect areas of the brain involved in sensorimotor and scratching. Trial registration number [http://www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR1900022994].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leixiao Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zihao Zou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyi Yu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianjun Xiao
- College of Health Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunzhou Shi
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianhua Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyuan Zhou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junpeng Yao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanli Deng
- Sichuan Second Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Sijue Chen
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Pingsheng Hao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dehghan Nayyeri M, Missler M, Ritterbach R, Sundermann B, Wulms N, Süer A, Dugas M, Pereira MP, Ständer S, Schmelz M, Pfleiderer B. Altered resting-state functional connectivity of default mode network in brachioradial pruritus. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36:2214-2223. [PMID: 35796634 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic pruritus (CP) have a low quality of life, thus it is important to gain a better understanding of the underlying processes. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies at rest (rs-fMRI) have shown that mainly areas associated with the default mode network (DMN), sensorimotor (SMN), frontoparietal (FPN) and salience networks (SN) are involved in the processing of itch in patients with chronic pruritus (CP), as well as the cortico-striatal circuit, which is involved in the motoric preparation of scratching. rs-fMRI studies on functional connectivity (FC) patterns of resting-state networks (RSNs) in patients with inflammatory atopic dermatitis (AD) or with neuropathic brachioradial pruritus (BRP) compared to healthy controls (HC) are lacking. OBJECTIVES The main goals of this study were to investigate whether functional connectivity within networks and areas associated with itch detection and processing are altered in patients with AD and BRP compared to matched healthy controls by rsfMRI, respectively. METHODS Patients with AD (n = 28) and with BRP (n = 28) were compared to corresponding matched healthy controls by rsfMRI. Group specific RSNs were identified by independent component analysis (ICA) and between-group differences in the RSNs were analyzed by dual regression technique. Seed-based functional connectivity was analyzed in several itch-related brain regions belonging to the DMN, SN and FPN, respectively. RESULTS ICA and seed-based analyses revealed decreased functional connectivity in BRP compared to HC specially within the DMN including the precuneus and cingulate cortex. For AD patients in comparison to HC, as well as when BRP and AD patients when compared directly, no significant FC differences at rest were seen. CONCLUSIONS Our findings point towards decreased FC particularly in the DMN at rest in patients with BRP. These results seem to indicate that central connectivity patterns at rest differentially encode itch in BRP and AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahboobeh Dehghan Nayyeri
- Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR Clinic, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Miriam Missler
- Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Rebecca Ritterbach
- Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Benedikt Sundermann
- Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Medical Campus, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Wulms
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Aysenur Süer
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel P Pereira
- Center for Chronic Pruritus, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Sonja Ständer
- Center for Chronic Pruritus, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Martin Schmelz
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg of University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bettina Pfleiderer
- Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeld Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Muenster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fortugno AP, Bakke JR, Babajani-Feremi A, Newman J, Patel TS. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Applications in Dermatology. JID INNOVATIONS 2022; 1:100015. [PMID: 35024683 PMCID: PMC8669514 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2021.100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
As a noninvasive imaging modality able to show the dynamic changes in neurologic activity, functional magnetic resonance imaging has revolutionized the ability to both map and further understand the functional regions of the brain. Current applications range from neurosurgical planning to an enormous variety of investigational applications across many diverse specialties. The main purpose of this article is to provide a foundational understanding of how functional magnetic resonance imaging is being used in research by outlining the underlying basic science, specific methods, and direct investigational and clinical applications. In addition, the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging in current dermatological research, especially in relation to studies concerning the skin‒brain axis, is explicitly addressed. This article also touches on the advantages and limitations concerning functional magnetic resonance imaging in comparison with other similar techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Fortugno
- Department of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Joshua R Bakke
- Kaplan-Amonette Department of Dermatology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Abbas Babajani-Feremi
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.,Magnetoencephalography Laboratory, Dell Children's Medical Center, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Justin Newman
- Memphis Radiological Professional Corporation, Germantown, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tejesh S Patel
- Kaplan-Amonette Department of Dermatology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhou NY, Nili A, Blackwell CK, Ogbuefi N, Cummings P, Lai JS, Griffith JW, Paller AS, Wakschlag LS, Fishbein AB. Parent report of sleep health and attention regulation in a cross-sectional study of infants and preschool-aged children with atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol 2022; 39:61-68. [PMID: 34935180 PMCID: PMC9308997 DOI: 10.1111/pde.14889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Older children with atopic dermatitis (AD) suffer from poor sleep and attention problems. However, until recently, the dearth of developmentally sensitive assessment tools impeded characterization in younger children. We aimed to characterize sleep and attention problems in young children with AD and identify modifiable factors. METHODS A cross-sectional study of children with AD aged 1-4 years was stratified by disease severity (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure), age, and racial/ethnic groups. Developmentally sensitive surveys assessed attention (Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Attention Regulation), sleep, and itch (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). Linear regression models identified predictors of sleep health and attention dysregulation. RESULTS Parents (n = 60) of children aged 2.78 ± 0.98 years with severe (n = 25), moderate (n = 25), or mild (n = 10) AD were recruited across the United States. Significantly reduced sleep health (T-score ≥ 60) was reported in 86% of children with moderate/severe disease (n = 43), and 50% had ≥5 nights of disturbed sleep per week. A suboptimal sleep environment was identified with 32% of children with too much light, noise, or electronic device usage. With regard to attention regulation, in children with severe AD, 80% had trouble sitting still and 72% of children had trouble paying attention no matter their surroundings. In fully adjusted models, AD severity was a significant predictor of poor sleep health (B = 0.79 [0.31-1.28], p < .01) and attention dysregulation (B = 1.22 [0.51-1.93], p < .01). CONCLUSIONS More severe AD correlates with poor sleep health and attention dysregulation. In addition to aggressive treatment of AD, clinicians should advise on modifiable sleep hygiene practices and consider screening for attention dysregulation in young children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Y Zhou
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amanda Nili
- Department of Medical Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Courtney K Blackwell
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nonye Ogbuefi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Peter Cummings
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jin-Shei Lai
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - James W Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy S Paller
- Department of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lauren S Wakschlag
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Anna B Fishbein
- Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li J, Dong R, Zeng Y. Characteristics, mechanism, and management of pain in atopic dermatitis: A literature review. Clin Transl Allergy 2021; 11:e12079. [PMID: 34962720 PMCID: PMC8805692 DOI: 10.1002/clt2.12079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Developments in basic science and clinical research have increased our understanding of AD. Although pain as a symptom of AD is underemphasized in previous studies, multiple researchers address pain as a frequent burden of AD. However, the exact role of pain in AD is not fully understood. AIMS Our review aimed to summarize the current evidence focusing on characteristics, mechanism, and management of pain in AD. MATERIALS & METHODS We conducted a thorough literature review in the PubMed database to figure out different aspects discussing pain in AD, including pain symptoms, burden, the relationship between pain and itch, mechanism, and pain management in AD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION AD patients affected by skin pain vary from 42.7%-92.2% with remarkable intensity and heavy burden. Skin pain and itch interacted both in symptoms and mechanisms. Atopic skin with the impaired barrier, neurogenic inflammation mediators, peripheral and central sensitization of pain may possibly explain pain mechanism in AD. Future research is needed to clarify the commonality and disparity of pain and itch in AD in order to seek efficacious medications and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia‐Xin Li
- Department of DermatologyState Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare DiseasesPeking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic DiseasesBeijingChina
- Peking Union Medical CollegeChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Rui‐Jia Dong
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yue‐Ping Zeng
- Department of DermatologyState Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare DiseasesPeking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic DiseasesBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Mu D, Sun YG. Circuit Mechanisms of Itch in the Brain. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:23-30. [PMID: 34662562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Itch is an unpleasant somatic sensation with the desire to scratch, and it consists of sensory, affective, and motivational components. Acute itch serves as a critical protective mechanism because an itch-evoked scratching response will help to remove harmful substances invading the skin. Recently, exciting progress has been made in deciphering the mechanisms of itch at both the peripheral nervous system and the CNS levels. Key neuronal subtypes and circuits have been revealed for ascending transmission and the descending modulation of itch. In this review, we mainly summarize the current understanding of the central circuit mechanisms of itch in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Mu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Gang Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fishbein AB, Cheng BT, Tilley CC, Begolka WS, Carle AC, Forrest CB, Zee PC, Paller AS, Griffith JW. Sleep Disturbance in School-Aged Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Prevalence and Severity in a Cross-Sectional Sample. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2021; 9:3120-3129.e3. [PMID: 33991704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) causes sleep disturbance but the epidemiology is not known. OBJECTIVE To estimate the US prevalence of sleep disturbance and its impact on psychological and neurocognitive function. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 180 parent-child dyads with AD using stratified sampling based on disease severity (Patient Oriented Eczema Measure: mild [n = 30), moderate (n = 75) or severe (n = 75]), age, and race (White or Black or African American or other). Symptoms of sleep and psychologic health were assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System. To estimate the prevalence of sleep disturbance, we calculated weights using poststratification adjustment making marginal frequencies of AD severity, race, and age similar to marginal frequencies in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. Unweighted regression models examined associations with sleep disturbance. RESULTS In children age 5 to 17 years with AD, we estimated that sleep disturbance occurred in 66.9% (95% confidence interval, 53.3% to 80.5%; 3,116,305 children). The odds of severe sleep disturbance (worse than 95% of US children) were highest in moderate to severe versus mild AD (2.03 [1.00-4.10]; P = .0495; compared with 8.68 [1.82-41.49]; P = .0068). Predictors of parent proxy-reported sleep disturbance were itch intensity (adjusted β [95% confidence interval] 1.33 [0.62-2.04]) and low income (<$50,000: 6.64 [2.05-11.23]; and $50,000 to less than 100,000: 4.75 [0.35-9.14]). Controlling for disease severity, itch intensity, and significant sociodemographics-parent-proxy, reported sleep disturbance was associated with increased severity of sleep-related impairment, depression, fatigue, and anxiety, in addition to worse inattention and impulsivity. In fully adjusted models, children who self-reported sleep disturbance (T-score ≥60) had increased odds of sleep-related impairment (1.20 [1.11-1.29]), depression (1.13 [1.03, 1.24]), fatigue (1.28 [1.06-1.54]), and anxiety (1.16 [1.02-1.31]). CONCLUSIONS Sleep disturbance is a common symptom of AD. It affects about 3 million US children and is associated with neuropsychiatric impairment, including depression, anxiety, and inattention. Clinicians should screen for these symptoms in school-aged children, particularly those with moderate to severe AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna B Fishbein
- Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.
| | - Brian T Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - Caroline C Tilley
- Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | | | - Adam C Carle
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Christopher B Forrest
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Phillis C Zee
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - Amy S Paller
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - James W Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lee IS, Kim K, Park HJ, Lee H, Jung WM, Kim DW, Chae Y. Neural Oscillation Associated with Contagious Itch in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040438. [PMID: 33805350 PMCID: PMC8067125 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Itch is an unpleasant sensation associated with an urge to scratch and is a major health care issue associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Contagious itch, i.e., subjective feelings of itchiness induced by watching others’ scratching behavior, is common in patients with AD. Using electroencephalography, we examined alpha (8–13 Hz) oscillations in sensorimotor areas associated with the desire to scratch in patients with AD. Methods: Thirty-six patients with AD and 34 healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study. They evaluated their itch levels after watching short videos of a model scratching or tapping parts of his body. Neural oscillations were recorded from nine electrodes, including those placed over sensorimotor areas. Time–frequency analysis was used to compare mu rhythm suppression over the sensorimotor areas in response to these videos between patients with AD and HCs. Results: The behavioral test showed that the visual stimuli induced increased feelings of itchiness in patients with AD relative to HCs under the tapping and scratching conditions. The time–frequency analysis revealed that mu rhythm suppression in response to scratching images was significantly prominent in patients with AD, but not in HCs. Conclusion: Patients with AD exhibited increased susceptibility to contagious itch. This phenomenon might be related to enhanced mu rhythm suppression in sensorimotor areas of the brain in these patients. Our findings provide new insight into the neurophysiological basis of itch sensations in patients with AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- In-Seon Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (I.-S.L.); (H.-J.P.); (H.L.); (W.-M.J.)
| | - Kyuseok Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea;
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (I.-S.L.); (H.-J.P.); (H.L.); (W.-M.J.)
| | - Hyangsook Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (I.-S.L.); (H.-J.P.); (H.L.); (W.-M.J.)
| | - Won-Mo Jung
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (I.-S.L.); (H.-J.P.); (H.L.); (W.-M.J.)
| | - Do-Won Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Korea
- Correspondence: (D.-W.K.); (Y.C.)
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (I.-S.L.); (H.-J.P.); (H.L.); (W.-M.J.)
- Correspondence: (D.-W.K.); (Y.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lee J, Suh H, Jung H, Park M, Ahn J. Association between chronic pruritus, depression, and insomnia: A cross-sectional study. JAAD Int 2021; 3:54-60. [PMID: 34409371 PMCID: PMC8361905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdin.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Skin diseases that cause chronic pruritus can have negative effects on a patient's quality of life. Objective We evaluated the associations between chronic pruritus and psychological conditions including insomnia and depression. Methods This study included responses from 91 participants with chronic pruritus (response rate: 74.6%). A survey including questionnaires regarding data on demographic characteristics, intensity of pruritus using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the 4-item itch questionnaire, and the degrees of insomnia and depression measured by the Insomnia Severity Index and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. Results Patients with symptoms of insomnia or depression had significantly more intense pruritus than patients without psychological symptoms (insomnia, VAS median [interquartile range]: 7.0 [5.0-8.25] vs. 5.0 [3.0-7.5]; depression, VAS median [interquartile range]: 7.5 [5.0-8.25] vs. 5.0 [3.0-7.0]). Multivariable analyses revealed that patients with moderate to severe pruritus were more likely to have depression than those with mild pruritus (odds ratio: 10.95; 95% confidence interval: 2.24-53.06). There were no differences in the severity of insomnia and depression among skin diseases. Limitations This study had a cross-sectional design and limited generalizability. Conclusion Chronic pruritus is significantly associated with insomnia and depression, regardless of the etiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaein Lee
- Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunyi Suh
- Widwin Dermatologic Clinic, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyejung Jung
- Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Miyoun Park
- Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiyoung Ahn
- Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Najafi P, Misery L, Carré JL, Ben Salem D, Dufor O. Itch Matrixes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:636904. [PMID: 33718409 PMCID: PMC7943862 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.636904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Najafi
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laurent Misery
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Department of Dermatology, Brest, France
| | | | - Douraied Ben Salem
- Univ Brest, LATIM, INSERM UMR, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Department of Radiology, Brest, France
| | - Olivier Dufor
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,L@bISEN Yncréa Ouest, ISEN, Brest, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Increased grey matter volume and associated resting-state functional connectivity in chronic spontaneous urticaria: A structural and functional MRI study. J Neuroradiol 2021; 48:236-242. [PMID: 33549611 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chronic itch is one of the most common irritating sensations, yet its mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Although some studies have revealed relationships between itching and brain function, the structural changes in the brain induced by chronic itching, such as those accompanying chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential changes in brain structure and the associated functional circuitry in CSU patients to generate insights to aid chronic itch management. METHODS Forty CSU patients and forty healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Seven-day urticaria activity score (UAS7) values were collected to evaluate clinical symptoms. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis were used to assess structural changes in the brain and associated changes in functional circuitry. RESULTS Compared with HCs, CSU patients had significantly increased grey matter (GM) volume in the right premotor cortex, left fusiform cortex, and cerebellum. UAS7 values were positively associated with GM volume in the left fusiform cortex. In CSU patients relative to HCs, the left fusiform cortex as extracted by VBM analysis demonstrated decreased functional connectivity with the right orbitofrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), premotor cortex, primary motor cortex (MI), and cerebellum and increased functional connectivity with the right posterior insular cortex, primary somatosensory cortex (SI), and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII). The left cerebellum as extracted from VBM analysis demonstrated decreased functional connectivity with the right supplementary motor area (SMA) and MI in CSU patients relative to HCs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that patients suffering from chronic itching conditions, such as CSU, are likely to demonstrate altered GM volume in some brain regions. These changes may affect not only the sensorimotor area but also brain regions associated with cognitive function.
Collapse
|
24
|
Najafi P, Dufor O, Ben Salem D, Misery L, Carré JL. Itch processing in the brain. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 35:1058-1066. [PMID: 33145804 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Itch is a sensation defined as the urge to scratch. The central mechanisms of itch are being increasingly studied. These studies are usually based on experimental itch induction methods, which can be classified into the following categories: histamine-induced, induction by other non-histamine chemicals (e.g. cowhage), physically induced (e.g. electrical) and mentally induced (e.g. audio-visual). Because pain has been more extensively studied, some extrapolations to itch can be proposed and verified by experiments. Recent studies suggest that the itch-processing network in the brain could be disrupted in certain diseases. This disruption could be related to the implication of new regions or the exclusion of already engaged brain regions from itch-processing network in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - O Dufor
- LIEN, Univ Brest, Brest, France.,LabISEN Yncréa Ouest ISEN, Brest, France
| | - D Ben Salem
- Univ Brest, LaTIM, INSERM, UMR 1101, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - L Misery
- LIEN, Univ Brest, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - J-L Carré
- LIEN, Univ Brest, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Douraied Ben Salem
- Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Brest, 29609 Brest Cedex, France; Latim, Inserm, UMR 1101, Univ Brest (UBO), 29200 Brest, France
| | - Laurent Misery
- LIEN, EA4685, Univ Brest (UBO), 29200 Brest, France; Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, 29609 Brest Cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science & Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yu-quan Road, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Gang Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science & Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 201210, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Najafi P, Ben Salem D, Carré JL, Misery L, Dufor O. Functional and anatomical brain connectivity in psoriasis patients and healthy controls: a pilot brain imaging study after exposure to mentally induced itch. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34:2557-2565. [PMID: 32267024 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the prevalence of psoriasis, the processing of itch in psoriasis and its impact on the central nervous system (CNS) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE We studied the influence of psoriasis on the CNS using magnetic resonance imaging techniques (fMRI and DTI, respectively) to investigate whether mentally induced itch can modify the functional connectivity or the white matter microstructure of the brain. METHODS Fourteen patients with chronic psoriasis and 15 healthy controls were recruited. Itch was mentally induced in subjects by videos showing others scratching themselves. RESULTS The observation of functional connectivity during the viewing the video revealed an interconnected network of brain regions that are more strongly coupled in psoriasis patients than in healthy controls. This network links the cerebellum, the thalami, the anteroposterior cingulum, the inferior parietal lobules, the middle temporal poles and the parahippocampal, hippocampal, lingual and supramarginal gyri. We also found connections with the right precuneus and both left insula and superior temporal gyrus. The DTI analysis showed that chronic itch affects the microstructure of white matter, including the anterior thalamic radiations, the superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi, the corticospinal tracts, the cingulum, the external capsules, the inferior frontal-occipital fasciculi and both minor and major forceps. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that there could exist a network which is more interconnected in psoriasis patients. Among two building blocks of this network, the subnetwork encoding the perception and control of itch sensation is more affected than the subnetwork representing mentalizing and empathy. With an approach consisting of measuring microstructural changes at a local level in the brain, we also contradict the findings obtained with global measures which stated that chronic psoriasis cannot alter the anatomy of the brain. This confirms that itchy pathophysiological conditions have similar effects on functional and structural connectivity as those observed in chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - D Ben Salem
- Univ Brest, LATIM, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - J-L Carré
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - L Misery
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - O Dufor
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kyung Y, Choi MH, Jeon YJ, Lee JS, Lee JH, Jo SH, Kim SH. Association of atopic dermatitis with suicide risk among 788,411 adolescents: A Korean cross-sectional study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020; 125:55-64. [PMID: 32240758 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is known to negatively influence the mental health of patients. However, only a few studies have explored the influencing factors for psychiatric problems among adolescents with AD. OBJECTIVE To assess the association of AD and suicidal behaviors among adolescents by analyzing data from the 3rd through the 13th annual Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Surveys (completed from 2007 to 2017). METHODS Survey data were obtained from a stratified, multistage, clustered sample. Students self-reported AD if they had received a diagnosis of AD by a physician. Influencing factors for suicidal behaviors were tested by logistic regression models. RESULTS A total of 788,411 adolescents completed the survey. The proportion of participants with AD was 22.2%. Those reporting suicide ideation and suicide attempts were 19.0%, and 4.5%, respectively. Compared with adolescents without AD, those with AD were more likely to be female, to skip breakfast less frequently, to exercise less frequently, to drink less alcohol, and to not be current smokers and were statistically significantly more likely to have negative mental health states. In the multivariable model, perceived unhappiness and suicidal ideation were the strongest influencing factors for suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio, 4.90; 95% CI, 4.31-5.57) and for suicidal attempts (adjusted odds ratio, 48.01; 95% CI, 42.69-53.09), respectively. CONCLUSION Adolescents with AD had a meaningful prevalence of suicidal behaviors. Although further research is needed to clarify this association, adolescents with AD with influencing factors for negative mental health state may need intervention from practitioners who use a multidisciplinary team approach to prevent suicide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yechan Kyung
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hwan Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Jung Jeon
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Suk Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hwa Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Hui Jo
- Department of Biostatistics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Golpanian RS, Kim HS, Yosipovitch G. Effects of Stress on Itch. Clin Ther 2020; 42:745-756. [PMID: 32147148 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Psychological stress and ensuing modulation of the immune and nervous systems can have a significant impact on itch. Stress can exacerbate itch and vice versa, resulting in a vicious cycle that can greatly impair a patient's quality of life. This review summarizes the association between stress and itch, elucidates the mechanism by which these two phenomena influence one another, and explores treatment modalities that aim to reduce stress-induced itch. METHODS A complete search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was completed and literature pertinent to this review was compiled. FINDINGS Both acute and chronic stress can significantly affect itch in healthy individuals and in those diagnosed with itchy skin diseases as well as systemic diseases, thus resulting in a vicious cycle in which stress exacerbates itch and vice versa. The mechanisms by which stress induces or aggravates itch include both central and peripheral activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. Activation of these systems, in turn, affects the mast cells, keratinocytes, and nerves that secrete neuropeptides, such as substance P, nerve growth factor, acetylcholine, histamine, and itchy cytokines. A dysfunctional parasympathetic response is thought to be involved in the chronic stress/itch response. Brain structures associated with emotion, such as the limbic system and periaqueductal gray, which work on the descending facilitation of itch, play a significant role in stress-induced itch. IMPLICATIONS As specific brain structures are associated with stress, drug treatments targeting these areas (ie, γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic drugs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) may help to modulate itch. Stress can also be combatted using nonpharmacologic treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapies and stress-relieving holistic approaches (eg, yoga, acupuncture).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Shireen Golpanian
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Itch Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hei Sung Kim
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Itch Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gil Yosipovitch
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Itch Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hashimoto T, Yosipovitch G. Itchy body: Topographical difference of itch and scratching and C Nerve fibres. Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:1385-1389. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hashimoto
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and Miami Itch Center Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami FL USA
| | - Gil Yosipovitch
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and Miami Itch Center Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami FL USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Najafi P, Carré JL, Ben Salem D, Brenaut E, Misery L, Dufor O. Central mechanisms of itch: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. J Neuroradiol 2019; 47:450-457. [PMID: 31809769 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, studying the central mechanism of itch has gained momentum. However, a proper meta-analysis has not been conducted in this domain. In this study, we tried to respond to this need. A systematic search and a meta-analysis were carried out to estimate the central mechanism of itch. The itch matrix comprises the thalamus and the parietal, secondary somatosensory, insular and cingulate cortices. We have shown that the basal ganglia (BG) play an important role in itch reduction. Finally, we explored itch processing in AD patients and observed that the itch matrix in these patients was different. In conclusion, this is the first meta-analysis on the central mechanisms of itch perception and processing. Our study demonstrated that different modalities of itch induction can produce a common pattern of activity in the brain and provided further insights into understanding the underlying nature of itch central perception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Luc Carré
- LIEN, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Douraied Ben Salem
- LaTIM, Inserm UMR 1101, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Emilie Brenaut
- LIEN, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Laurent Misery
- LIEN, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ishiuji Y. Addiction and the itch‐scratch cycle. What do they have in common? Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:1448-1454. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yozo Ishiuji
- Department of Dermatology The Jikei University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Yosipovitch G, Rosen JD, Hashimoto T. Itch: From mechanism to (novel) therapeutic approaches. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 142:1375-1390. [PMID: 30409247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Itch is a common sensory experience that is prevalent in patients with inflammatory skin diseases, as well as in those with systemic and neuropathic conditions. In patients with these conditions, itch is often severe and significantly affects quality of life. Itch is encoded by 2 major neuronal pathways: histaminergic (in acute itch) and nonhistaminergic (in chronic itch). In the majority of cases, crosstalk existing between keratinocytes, the immune system, and nonhistaminergic sensory nerves is responsible for the pathophysiology of chronic itch. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the molecular, neural, and immune mechanisms of itch: beginning in the skin, proceeding to the spinal cord, and eventually ascending to the brain, where itch is processed. A growing understanding of the mechanisms of chronic itch is expanding, as is our pipeline of more targeted topical and systemic therapies. Our therapeutic armamentarium for treating chronic itch has expanded in the last 5 years, with developments of topical and systemic treatments targeting the neural and immune systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gil Yosipovitch
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and Miami Itch Center Miller School of Medicine University of Miami, Miami, Fla.
| | - Jordan Daniel Rosen
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and Miami Itch Center Miller School of Medicine University of Miami, Miami, Fla
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and Miami Itch Center Miller School of Medicine University of Miami, Miami, Fla
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Mueller SM, Mueller F, Reinhardt J, Itin P, Navarini A, Stippich C, Borgwardt S. Assessment of the impact of sex in intensity, skin flares and central processing of histaminergic itch—A pilot study. Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:1493-1500. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Julia Reinhardt
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology Department of Radiology University Hospital Basel University of Basel Basel Switzerland
- Department of Neuroradiology Clinical Neuroscience Center University Hospital Zurich University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Peter Itin
- Department of Dermatology University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Christoph Stippich
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology Department of Radiology University Hospital Basel University of Basel Basel Switzerland
- Department of Neuroradiology Clinical Neuroscience Center University Hospital Zurich University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Smith MP, Ly K, Thibodeaux Q, Weerasinghe T, Wu JJ, Yosipovitch G, Bhutani T, Liao W. Emerging Methods to Objectively Assess Pruritus in Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2019; 9:407-420. [PMID: 31256388 PMCID: PMC6704205 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-019-0312-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease with a chronic, relapsing course. Clinical features of AD vary by age, duration, and severity but can include papules, vesicles, erythema, exudate, xerosis, scaling, and lichenification. However, the most defining and universal symptom of AD is pruritus. Pruritus or itch, defined as an unpleasant urge to scratch, is problematic for many reasons, particularly its negative impact on quality of life. Despite the profoundly negative impact of pruritus on patients with AD, clinicians and researchers lack standardized and validated methods to objectively measure pruritus. The purpose of this review is to discuss emerging methods to assess pruritus in AD by describing objective patient-centered tools developed or enhanced over the last decade that can be utilized by clinicians and researchers alike. METHODS This review is based on a literature search in Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The search was performed in February 2019. The keywords were used "pruritus," "itch," "atopic dermatitis," "eczema," "measurements," "tools," "instruments," "accelerometer," "wrist actigraphy," "smartwatch," "transducer," "vibration," "brain mapping," "magnetic resonance imaging," and "positron emission tomography." Only articles written in English were included, and no restrictions were set on study type. To focus on emerging methods, prioritization was given to results from the last decade (2009-2019). RESULTS The search yielded 49 results in PubMed, 134 results in Embase, and 85 results in Web of Science. Each result was independently reviewed in a standardized manner by two of the authors (M.S., K.L.), and disagreements between reviewers were resolved by consensus. Relevant findings were categorized into the following sections: video surveillance, acoustic surveillance, wrist actigraphy, smart devices, vibration transducers, and neurological imaging. Examples are provided along with descriptions of how each technology works, instances of use in research or clinical practice, and as applicable, reports of validation studies and correlation with other methods. CONCLUSION The variety of new and improved methods to evaluate pruritus in AD is welcomed by clinicians, researchers, and patients alike. Future directions include next-generation smart devices as well as exploring new territories, such as identifying biomarkers that correlate to itch and machine-learning programs to identify itch processing in the brain. As these efforts continue, it will be essential to remain patient-centered by developing techniques that minimize discomfort, respect privacy, and provide accurate data that can be used to better manage itch in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Patricia Smith
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Karen Ly
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Quinn Thibodeaux
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Jashin J Wu
- Dermatology Research and Education Foundation, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Gil Yosipovitch
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tina Bhutani
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wilson Liao
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Itch sensitization? A systematic review of studies using quantitative sensory testing in patients with chronic itch. Pain 2019; 160:2661-2678. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
37
|
Dong X, Dong X. Peripheral and Central Mechanisms of Itch. Neuron 2019; 98:482-494. [PMID: 29723501 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Itch is a unique sensory experience that is encoded by genetically distinguishable neurons both in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) to elicit a characteristic behavioral response (scratching). Itch interacts with the other sensory modalities at multiple locations, from its initiation in a particular dermatome to its transmission to the brain where it is finally perceived. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular and neural mechanisms of itch by starting in the periphery, where itch is initiated, and discussing the circuits involved in itch processing in the CNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Dong
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Xinzhong Dong
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) is a perfusion-based functional magnetic resonance imaging technique that uses water in arterial blood as a freely diffusible tracer to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) noninvasively. To date its application to the study of pain has been relatively limited. Yet, ASL possesses key features that make it uniquely positioned to study pain in certain paradigms. For instance, ASL is sensitive to very slowly fluctuating brain signals (in the order of minutes or longer). This characteristic makes ASL particularly suitable to the evaluation of brain mechanisms of tonic experimental, post-surgical and ongoing/or continuously varying pain in chronic or acute pain conditions (whereas BOLD fMRI is better suited to detect brain responses to short-lasting or phasic/evoked pain). Unlike positron emission tomography or other perfusion techniques, ASL allows the estimation of rCBF without requiring the administration of radioligands or contrast agents. Thus, ASL is well suited for within-subject longitudinal designs (e.g., to study evolution of pain states over time, or of treatment effects in clinical trials). ASL is also highly versatile, allowing for novel paradigms exploring a flexible array of pain states, plus it can be used to simultaneously estimate not only pain-related alterations in perfusion but also functional connectivity. In conclusion, ASL can be successfully applied in pain paradigms that would be either challenging or impossible to implement using other techniques. Particularly when used in concert with other neuroimaging techniques, ASL can be a powerful tool in the pain imager's toolbox.
Collapse
|
39
|
Mochizuki H, Hernandez LE, Yosipovitch G, Sadato N, Kakigi R. The Functional Network Processing Acute Electrical Itch Stimuli in Humans. Front Physiol 2019; 10:555. [PMID: 31156452 PMCID: PMC6529842 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The posterior insula (pIns) is a major brain region that receives itch-related signals from the periphery and transfers these signals to broad areas in the brain. Previous brain imaging studies have successfully identified brain regions that respond to itch stimuli. However, it is still unknown which brain regions receive and process itch-related signals from the pIns. Addressing this question is important in identifying key functional networks that process itch. Thus, the present study investigated brain regions with significantly increased functional connectivity with the pIns during itch stimuli with 25 healthy subjects by using functional MRI. Electrical itch stimuli was applied to the left wrist. Similar to previous brain imaging studies, many cortical and subcortical areas were activated by itch stimuli. However, not all of these regions showed significant increments of functional connectivity with the pIns during itch stimuli. While the subjects perceived the itch sensation, functional connectivity was significantly increased between the right pIns and the supplementary motor area (SMA), pre-SMA, anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), anterior insula (aIns), secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), and basal ganglia (BG), suggesting that this is a key network in processing itch. In particular, intensity of functional connectivity between the pIns and BG was negatively correlated with itch rating. The functional pIns-BG pathway may play an important role in regulation of subjective itch sensation. This study first identified a key brain network to process itch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Mochizuki
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami Itch Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States.,Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Loren E Hernandez
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami Itch Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Gil Yosipovitch
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami Itch Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Norihiro Sadato
- Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Kakigi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Roberts CA, Giesbrecht T, Stancak A, Fallon N, Thomas A, Kirkham TC. Where Is Itch Represented in the Brain, and How Does it Differ from Pain? An Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis of Experimentally-Induced Itch. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:2245-2248.e3. [PMID: 31054845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carl A Roberts
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Andrej Stancak
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Fallon
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tim C Kirkham
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
|
42
|
Miłosz M, Demkow U, Wolańczyk T. Relation Between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and IgE-Dependent Allergy in Pediatric Patients. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1096:105-109. [PMID: 29623610 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2018_196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Food allergy is a common condition in children and adolescent, remitting with time. Few clinical studies have emphasized the link between food allergies and psychosocial conditions, suggesting a profound impact of atopic diseases on the development of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The objective of this study was to compile and assess available studies on the comorbidity or causality between ADHD and atopic food allergy in children. We discuss epidemiology, interrelated mechanisms, and potential dietary interventions in the management of children with ADHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Miłosz
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Urszula Demkow
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wolańczyk
- Deaprtment of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Jones O, Schindler I, Holle H. Transcranial magnetic stimulation over contralateral primary somatosensory cortex disrupts perception of itch intensity. Exp Dermatol 2018; 28:1380-1384. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.13803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Jones
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Hull Hull UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ehling S, Butler A, Thi S, Ghashghaei HT, Bäumer W. To scratch an itch: Establishing a mouse model to determine active brain areas involved in acute histaminergic itch. IBRO Rep 2018; 5:67-73. [PMID: 30364768 PMCID: PMC6197726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The specific histamine H4 receptor agonist ST-1006 induces acute itch in mice. Histaminergic itch increases neuronal activity in the medial habenula. Selective H4R activation in the skin increases neuronal activity in the medial habenula.
Background Strategies to efficiently control itch require a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Several areas in the brain involved in itch and scratching responses have been postulated, but the central mechanisms that drive pruritic responses are still unknown. Histamine is recognized as a major mediator of itch in humans, and has been the most frequently used stimulus as an experimental pruritogen for brain imaging of itch. Objective Histaminergic itch via histamine and the selective histamine H4 receptor (H4R) agonist, ST-1006, recruit brain nuclei through c-fos activation and activate specific areas in the brain. Methods An acute itch model was established in c-fos-EGFP transgenic mice using ST-1006 and histamine. Coronal brain sections were stained for c-fos immunoreactivity and the forebrain was mapped for density of c-fos + nuclei. Results Histamine and ST-1006 significantly increased scratching response in c-fos-EGFP mice compared to vehicle controls. Mapping c-fos immunostained brain sections revealed neuronal activity in the cortex, striatum, hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, and the midbrain. Conclusions Histaminergic itch and selective H4R activation significantly increased the density of c-fos + nuclei in the medial habenula (MHb). Thus, the MHb may be a new target to investigate and subsequently develop novel mechanism-based strategies to treat itch and possibly provide a locus for pharmacological control of pruritus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ehling
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA.,Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ashley Butler
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie Thi
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - H Troy Ghashghaei
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Wolfgang Bäumer
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA.,Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Jiang X, Shen C, Dai Y, Jiang F, Li S, Shen X, Hu Y, Li F. Early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Chinese children: A cross-sectional study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29524252 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between food allergy and respiratory allergy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children is rarely investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms are associated with the prevalence of ADHD in Chinese school-age children. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in school-age children using cluster-stratified methods from 9 cities across China between November and December 2005. A family and social environmental questionnaire including the diagnosis history of ADHD and allergic diseases (food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma), as well as general information, was completed by parents. RESULTS The prevalence of both allergic rhinitis (20.4%) and asthma (11.6%) in the food allergy group was significantly higher than in the non-food allergy group (9.0% and 2.8%, respectively; both P < .001). The multivariable analysis showed that single food allergy (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13-2.05, P = .005), food allergy complicated with allergic rhinitis or asthma (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.19-5.14, P < .001), and food allergy complicated with allergic rhinitis and asthma simultaneously (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.05-8.11, P < .001) were independently associated with the increased risk of ADHD. CONCLUSIONS Early food allergy is associated with ADHD in school-age children. Early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms independently and synergistically contributed to higher risk of ADHD. Monitoring food allergy in early life could help in the early prediction and intervention for the consequent allergy march and ADHD in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Jiang
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Primary Child Health Care, Ministry of Education of Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun Shen
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Dai
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenghui Li
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Shen
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Department of Primary Child Health Care, Ministry of Education of Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common itchy dermatosis that affects millions of children and adults worldwide. Chronic itch in this condition has significant impact on measures of quality of life, such as sleep. Treating itch in AD has been challenging for decades, but new drugs have emerged in the last year with significant anti-pruritic effect. The optimal treatment regimen for atopic itch addresses barrier dysfunction, inflammation, neural hypersensitivity, and the itch-scratch cycle. Topical moisturizers remain the foundation of treatment and should be used by all patients with AD-associated pruritus. Step-wise therapy, from topical anti-inflammatory creams to systemic monoclonal antibodies and immunosuppressants, is recommended. There are multiple adjuvant therapies that can be used, especially to target itch in the setting of minimal skin inflammation. Finally, patient education, sleep management, and stress relief are important components to optimize outcomes. This review assesses the latest advances and treatment recommendations for pruritus in AD. Finally, suggested therapeutic ladders and emerging treatments are discussed.
Collapse
|
47
|
The vicious cycle of itch and anxiety. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 87:17-26. [PMID: 29374516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic itch is associated with increased stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders. In turn, stress and anxiety exacerbate itch, leading to a vicious cycle that affects patient behavior (scratching) and worsens disease prognosis and quality of life. This cycle persists across chronic itch conditions of different etiologies and even to some extent in healthy individuals, suggesting that the final common pathway for itch processing (the central nervous system) plays a major role in the relationship between itch and anxiety. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments that reduce anxiety have shown promising anti-itch effects. Further research is needed to establish specific central mechanisms of the itch-anxiety cycle and provide new targets for treatment.
Collapse
|
48
|
Brunner PM, Leung DYM, Guttman-Yassky E. Immunologic, microbial, and epithelial interactions in atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018; 120:34-41. [PMID: 29126710 PMCID: PMC8715858 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2017.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of studies contributing to the understanding of immunologic, microbial, and epithelial interactions in atopic dermatitis. DATA SOURCES PubMed literature review (2000-2017) and meeting abstracts from recent international dermatology conferences. STUDY SELECTIONS Articles discussing primarily human disease. RESULTS Clinical studies showed that atopic dermatitis is a type 2 immune-centered disease with a systemic inflammatory component but with heterogeneous treatment responses. This suggests that other factors are likely involved in shaping the skin disease phenotype, including microbial dysbiosis and epidermal barrier dysfunction. CONCLUSION Recent clinical investigation has significantly expanded our knowledge on disease pathogenesis in atopic dermatitis, and current and future clinical trials will most likely further help to elucidate this complex, heterogeneous skin disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Brunner
- The Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Donald Y M Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Emma Guttman-Yassky
- Department of Dermatology and the Laboratory for Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Nocebo-induced modulation of cerebral itch processing - An fMRI study. Neuroimage 2017; 166:209-218. [PMID: 29107770 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown repeatedly that perceiving itch-related pictures or listening to a lecture on itch can enhance itch sensation and scratching behaviour (Niemeier and Gieler, 2000; Holle et al., 2012; Lloyd et al., 2013), indicating that itch is strongly influenced by expectations. Using fMRI, we investigated the neural correlates of the itch-related nocebo effect in healthy male and female human subjects. Itch sensation on the left forearm was induced by cutaneous histamine application and thermally modulated, with cooling leading to higher itch. Nocebo-induced aggravation of histaminergic itch was achieved by ostensibly treating volunteers with "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)" about which subjects were instructed that it would increase itch. During a conditioning phase subjects indeed experienced stronger itch due to slightly altered cooling and histamine concentrations, but attributed it to the alleged "TENS stimulation". Importantly, in the subsequent test phase where no "TENS" or electrical stimulation was applied, volunteers significantly reported stronger itch during the nocebo as compared to the control condition. Comparing BOLD responses during nocebo in contrast to control, we observed increased activity in contralateral (right) rolandic operculum. Opercular involvement was repeatedly reported in studies related to the expectation of stimulus intensification and might thus represent an early area integrating expectation information with somatosensory information. Finally, functional coupling between the insula and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) was enhanced specifically in the nocebo condition. This cortex-PAG interaction indicates that context-dependent top-down modulation during itch might represent a shared mechanism with other modalities such as pain.
Collapse
|
50
|
Bartels DJP, van Laarhoven AIM, Stroo M, Hijne K, Peerdeman KJ, Donders ART, van de Kerkhof PCM, Evers AWM. Minimizing nocebo effects by conditioning with verbal suggestion: A randomized clinical trial in healthy humans. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182959. [PMID: 28910291 PMCID: PMC5598922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nocebo effects, i.e., adverse treatment effects which are induced by patients' expectations, are known to contribute to the experience of physical symptoms such as pain and itch. A better understanding of how to minimize nocebo responses might eventually contribute to enhanced treatment effects. However, little is known about how to reduce nocebo effects. In the current randomized controlled study, we tested whether nocebo effects can be minimized by positive expectation induction with respect to electrical and histaminic itch stimuli. First, negative expectations about electrical itch stimuli were induced by verbal suggestion and conditioning (part 1: induction of nocebo effect). Second, participants were randomized to either the experimental group or one of the control groups (part 2: reversing nocebo effect). In the experimental group, positive expectations were induced by conditioning with verbal suggestion. In the control groups either the negative expectation induction was continued or an extinction procedure was applied. Afterwards, a histamine application test was conducted. Positive expectation induction resulted in a significantly smaller nocebo effect in comparison with both control groups. Mean change itch NRS scores showed that the nocebo effect was even reversed, indicating a placebo effect. Comparable effects were also found for histamine application. This study is the first to demonstrate that nocebo effects can be minimized and even reversed by conditioning with verbal suggestion. The results of the current study indicate that learning via counterconditioning and verbal suggestion represents a promising strategy for diminishing nocebo responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. P. Bartels
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Antoinette I. M. van Laarhoven
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michiel Stroo
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Hijne
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kaya J. Peerdeman
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A. Rogier T. Donders
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Andrea W. M. Evers
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|