Histaminergic and Non-Histaminergic Itch: From Channels to Behavior

Itch (pruritus) is an unpleasant skin sensation that compels a person to scratch the affected area. The pathological consequences of itching affect the quality of life just as much as pain. Chronic pruritus conditions such as atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, or psoriasis pose a significant socioeconomic burden. This book provides an original account of behavioral, cellular, and molecular aspects of itch in experimental rodents and human subjects. It concentrates on the role of different cellular membrane ion channels functioning in itch states and spinal and cortical pathways which mediate the neural cascade of itch-signaling. The book shows that ion channels are promising targets for developing a new group of antipruritic drugs at the periphery and central levels for therapeutic intervention.