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Itch brain activity in atopic dermatitis: Association with disease intensity and severity

The difference in cerebral processing of histamine-induced itch in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy controls was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in eight patients with AD and seven age- and gender-matched controls. Patients with AD had bilateral activation of the anterior, posterior and retrospinal cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in addition to contralateral activation of the caudate nucleus and putamen. The controls had activation of the primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex and superior parietal lobe. An association was noted between DLPFC activity and disease severity as measured by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) (r = 0.3; P < 0.03). Activity in cortical areas ...