Clinical presentation, management, and pathophysiology of neuropathic itch

Lancet Neurology
Martin SteinhoffAnne Louise Oaklander

Abstract

Unlike conventional itch, neuropathic itch develops in normal skin from excess peripheral firing or dampened central inhibition of itch pathway neurons. Neuropathic itch is a symptom of the same central and peripheral nervous system disorders that cause neuropathic pain, such as sensory polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, herpes zoster, stroke, or multiple sclerosis, and lesion location affects symptoms more than aetiology. The causes of neuropathic itch are heterogeneous, and thus diagnosis is based primarily on recognising characteristic, disease-specific clinical presentations. However, the diagnosis of neuropathic itch is challenging, different subforms exist (eg, focal vs widespread, peripheral vs central), and the mechanisms of neuropathic itch are poorly understood, resulting in reduced treatment availability. Currently available strategies include treating or preventing causal diseases, such as diabetes or herpes zoster, and topical or systemic medications that calm excess neuronal firing. Discovery of itch mediators such as gastrin releasing peptide, receptors (eg, neurokinin-1), and pathways (eg, Janus kinases) might encourage much needed new research into targeted treatments of neuropathic itch.

Citations

Sep 10, 2019·JAMA Neurology·Anne Louise Oaklander, Maria Nolano
Sep 11, 2019·Experimental Dermatology·Michelle CampionMartin Steinhoff
Jan 19, 2020·Experimental Dermatology·Marissa T AyasseMartin Steinhoff
Dec 24, 2019·Physiological Reviews·Ferda Cevikbas, Ethan A Lerner
Apr 23, 2019·Pain·Martin SteinhoffMartin Schmelz
May 30, 2020·Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift für Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete·M Schmelz
Jun 4, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Bo Young ChungHye One Kim
Aug 6, 2019·Frontiers in Medicine·Martin Schmelz
Jul 29, 2020·Canadian Journal of Pain = Revue Canadienne De La Douleur·Mary A Kelley, Anne Louise Oaklander
Apr 5, 2020·Pathogens·Kathlyn Laval, Lynn W Enquist
Jun 10, 2020·Dermatology and Therapy·Aleksandra A StefaniakJacek C Szepietowski
Oct 8, 2020·Der Schmerz·Sonja Ständer, Martin Schmelz
Aug 19, 2020·The British Journal of Dermatology·M PapanikolaouJ A McGrath
Mar 24, 2020·The Journal of Investigative Dermatology·Jeffrey D McBride, Mariya Miteva
Dec 10, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Abdul Q KhanShahab Uddin
Dec 31, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Bo Young ChungHye One Kim
Mar 7, 2021·Drugs·Majid AlamMartin Steinhoff
Jan 23, 2021·The Journal of Investigative Dermatology·Jeffrey D McBride, Mariya Miteva
Mar 19, 2021·Frontiers in Medicine·Manuel Pedro PereiraSonja Ständer
Feb 26, 2021·Allergy·Angeliki DatsiJoerg Buddenkotte
Dec 29, 2020·Experimental Dermatology·Amos GilharRalf Paus
May 6, 2021·American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology·Mariana BrizuelaStuart M Brierley
Dec 10, 2020·Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries·Aurore ThibautFelipe Fregni
Jun 2, 2021·The Medical Clinics of North America·Alex HinesMark D P Davis
Jul 6, 2021·Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·Kihwan LeeChul-Kyu Park
Jul 3, 2021·Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association·Jamie OhBarclay T Stewart
Aug 16, 2021·Brain, Behavior, and Immunity·Song XiaoJianghui Meng
Sep 23, 2021·Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·M P PereiraS Ständer
Nov 11, 2021·Science Translational Medicine·Pang-Yen Tseng, Mark A Hoon
Aug 25, 2021·Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·Youkyung S RohShawn G Kwatra

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Nature Reviews. Neurology
Laurent MiseryFabien Zagnoli
Wiener Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde und deren Grenzgebiete
A KROOJ DOBIAS
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Teresa Corona, José Flores
International Journal of Epidemiology
J De Keyser
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved