# Development of neurologic itch signature

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $174,695

## Abstract

Abstract: Chronic itch is a global health problem affecting tens of millions of people worldwide. However, there
is no objective biomarker to assess itch. Since itch results from activity in brain circuits through the participation
of many brain regions, we suggest developing specific brain biomarkers to assess the disease states and
treatment effects using functional brain imaging and machine learning. Developments of biomarkers are one of
the great advances of modern allopathic medicine. In itch treatment, assessment of itch is an important
indicator in understanding the progress of chronic itch and treatment effect. Currently, itch assessment is
based almost exclusively on patients' self-reports, which is inherently limited by the complex relationship
between biological pruriceptive (itch-related) processes and patients' verbal or written descriptions of itch. In
particular, self-report is not applicable for people who have a limited capacity to report itch such as infants, very
young children, and elderly people with cognitive impairments. Addressing chronic itch is becoming a central
morbidity in many dermatological diseases and a primary endpoint in clinical trials. Therefore, there is a great
need to develop a reliable biomarker for itch. Itch-related neural signals are a fundamental element of the itch
sensation. Measuring these signals can be a reliable biomarker for itch. Recent advancement of brain imaging
combined with machine learning algorithms has enabled development of brain activity-based biomarkers to
assess various mental activities and brain functions. This advancement, together with ongoing progress of low-
cost & high-performance MRI, will expand the feasibility of practical use of fMRI in medicine. A brain activity-
based biomarker for itch (i.e., Neurologic Itch Signature, NIS) may dramatically improve the quality of
diagnoses, treatments and clinical trials. Moreover, the NIS can be a promising biomarker for itch-related
processing in the brain, which enables to better understand the pathophysiology of chronic itch. The aim of our
research proposal is to develop the NIS. In particular, we will demonstrate (1) that the NIS will selectively
respond to itch (i.e., unresponsive to pain) and (2) that the NIS can predict not only an existence of itch but
also itch intensity, as these are fundamental requirements of biomarker for itch. To achieve this goal, we will
obtain datasets of brain activity during various intensities of itch and pain stimuli and resting condition by using
functional MRI (fMRI), and identify a characteristic brain activity pattern for itch (i.e., the NIS) by analyzing the
datasets using a machine learning algorithm. We will test whether the created NIS can predict itch and severity
of itch without prior information. The NIS will accelerate itch research and improve quality of diagnosis and
treatment of itch, which will eventually help the many people who suffer from chronic itch.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10193704
- **Project number:** 1R21AR078940-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Hideki Mochizuki
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $174,695
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10193704

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10193704, Development of neurologic itch signature (1R21AR078940-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10193704. Licensed CC0.

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