A transcranial direct current stimulation over the sensorimotor cortex modulates the itch sensation induced by histamine
A transcranial direct current stimulation over the sensorimotor cortex modulates the itch sensation induced by histamine
复制标题
对感觉运动皮层的经颅直流电刺激可调节组胺引起的瘙痒感
DOI：
10.1016/j.clinph.2015.07.003
复制
发表时间：
2016
影响因子：
4.7
通讯作者：
Kakigi R
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Nakagawa K.;Mochizuki H.;Koyama S.;Tanaka S.;Sadato N.;Kakigi R
目的：抓挠可以抑制瘙痒。然而，抓挠会损伤皮肤，从而加重瘙痒症状。因此，寻找另一种方法来抑制瘙痒具有重要的临床意义。本研究的目的是确定经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）是否有助于缓解瘙痒。方法采用双盲、假对照、交叉试验设计。在健康参与者的左前臂背侧唤起了组胺诱导的瘙痒，他们被要求每30秒报告一次瘙痒的主观感觉，持续23分钟。在瘙痒刺激期间，根据双半球刺激方案将tDCS应用于感觉运动皮层（SMC）；一个电极放置在右侧SMC上，另一个电极放置在左侧SMC上。比较R-A/L-C（阳极电极置于右侧，阴极电极置于左侧），L-A/R-C（阳极电极置于左侧，阴极电极置于右侧）和Sham干预之间的瘙痒峰值和持续感觉。结果R-A/L-C干预显著抑制了大鼠的峰值瘙痒感和持续瘙痒感。另一方面，L-A/R-C干预抑制了瘙痒感觉的峰值，但效果持续时间不超过几分钟。这些结果表明，双半球tDCS干预，特别是当阳极电极放置在对侧SMC上时，是一种潜在的有效方法，可以缓解持续的瘙痒感觉。本研究表明，tDCS干预可能是抑制健康受试者不愉快瘙痒感觉的一种替代方法。由于tDCS具有易于应用和临床安全的优点，它可能成为治疗瘙痒的一种有效方法。
ObjectiveItching can be suppressed by scratching. However, scratching may aggravate itch symptoms by damaging the skin. Therefore, identifying an alternative approach to suppress itching is of clinical importance. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was useful for itch relief.MethodsThe present study was performed on a double-blind, Sham-controlled, and cross-over experimental design. A histamine-induced itch was evoked on the left dorsal forearms of healthy participants, who were asked to report the subjective sensation of itching every 30 s for 23 min. tDCS was applied over the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) according to a bi-hemispheric stimulation protocol during the itch stimuli; one electrode was placed over the right SMC, while the other was placed over the left SMC. The peak and lasting sensations of itching were compared between R-A/L-C (anodal electrode placed over the right and cathodal electrode over the left), L-A/R-C (anodal electrode placed over the left and cathodal electrode over the right), and Sham interventions.ResultsThe peak and lasting itch sensation were significantly suppressed during the R-A/L-C intervention than during the Sham intervention. On the other hand, the L-A/R-C intervention suppressed the peak itch sensation, but the effects did not last for more than a few minutes.ConclusionsThese results suggest that a bi-hemispheric tDCS intervention, especially when the anodal electrode was placed over the SMC of the contralateral side, was a potentially useful method for relieving lasting itch sensations.SignificanceThe present study demonstrated that a tDCS intervention may be an alternative approach for suppressing unpleasant itch sensations in healthy participants. Since tDCS has some advantages, namely, its easy application and safety in a clinical setting, it may become a useful method for the treatment of itching.