Gene offers itchy-skin cure hope
Date: 27.7.2007
The GRPR "itch gene" was found in spinal cord nerve cells by a Washington University team.
Chronic itching can be caused by skin disorders like eczema or can stem from deeper problems such as kidney failure or liver disease.
Historically, scientists have regarded itching as a less intense version of pain and have tailored their research to understanding pain.
In fact, it was during such research that the GRPR (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor) gene first came to the scientists' attention.
However, they did find it had an impact when itching tests were carried out. Mice who had the gene neutralised did not react as much as those with the gene when given itchy stimuli.
Lead researcher Zhou-Feng Chen said the fact that a gene had been identified for itching that was unrelated to pain offered hope a specific treatment could be developed.
"It suggests that drugs can be used to suppress the itch sensation without affecting the pain sensation.
"And because pain can be an important protective cue that warns of danger, it may be a distinct advantage to have an anti-itch medication that doesn't compromise our pain-sensing capability."
"BBC NEWS":[ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6915885.stm]
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