Why Scratching an Itch is so Satisfying
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers are learning about the areas of the brain affected when the body is scratched and why scratching an itch is so satisfying. The research, reported online ahead of print in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, revealed to the scientists' surprise -- sections of the brain associated with unpleasant emotions become significantly less active during scratching. "This is the first real scientific evidence showing that itch may be inhibited by scratching," lead study author Dr. Gil Yosipovitch of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., said in a statement. "Of course, scratching is not recommended because it can damage the skin. But understanding how the process works could lead to new treatments." Thirteen healthy participants underwent testing with functional magnetic resonance imaging technology while being scratched on the lower leg with a brush. The scratching reduced brain activity associated with aversion to unpleasant sensory experiences and the area associated with memory, Yosipovitch says. The imaging studies also show areas of the brain made more active by the scratching is a sensory area involved in pain and an area associated with compulsive behavior. "This could explain the compulsion to continue scratching," Yosipovitch says.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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