# The neuronal circuits of affective itch

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $326,284

## Abstract

Chronic itch accompanies many skin diseases as well as systemic diseases and
significantly decreases patients' quality of life. The majority of patients with chronic itch
complain of aversive components of itch such as anxiety that are thought to be triggers or
enhancers of itch. In this application, we will investigate the neuronal circuit of affective itch.
In our preliminary data, we have confirmed activation of the neuronal circuit for anxiety (e.g.,
lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), amygdala, midcingulate cortex (MCC), and medial
prefrontal cortex (mPFC)) following intradermal injection of pruritogens in mice. Aim 1 will
characterize anatomical and physiological properties of itch-signaling amygdala neurons
using immunohistochemistry as well as in vivo single unit recording. Aim 2 will investigate
whether the projections from the LPB to the central nucleus of the amygdala and from the
mPFC and MCC to the basolateral amygdala modulate itch and anxiety. Behavioral and
electrophysiological properties of these amygdala neurons will be determined during
optogenetic activation of somata of these projections. Aim 3 will evaluate whether
optogenetic inhibition of itch-signaling amygdala neurons can recover itch and anxiety in a
mouse model of chronic itch. This novel approach would give us important information
about the role of the affective itch circuit in chronic itch and whether treatments that target
the circuit could improve both itch and anxiety in chronic itch patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10168464
- **Project number:** 5R01AR074062-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Tasuku Akiyama
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $326,284
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-27 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10168464

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10168464, The neuronal circuits of affective itch (5R01AR074062-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10168464. Licensed CC0.

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