| First Author | Yu YQ | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 355 |
| Issue | 6329 | Pages | 1072-1076 |
| PubMed ID | 28280205 | Mgi Jnum | J:240537 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5887141 | Doi | 10.1126/science.aak9748 |
| Citation | Yu YQ, et al. (2017) Molecular and neural basis of contagious itch behavior in mice. Science 355(6329):1072-1076 |
| abstractText | Socially contagious itch is ubiquitous in human society, but whether it exists in rodents is unclear. Using a behavioral paradigm that does not entail prior training or reward, we found that mice scratched after observing a conspecific scratching. Molecular mapping showed increased neuronal activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus of mice that displayed contagious scratching. Ablation of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) or GRPR neurons in the SCN abolished contagious scratching behavior, which was recapitulated by chemogenetic inhibition of SCN GRP neurons. Activation of SCN GRP/GRPR neurons evoked scratching behavior. These data demonstrate that GRP-GRPR signaling is necessary and sufficient for transmitting contagious itch information in the SCN. The findings may have implications for our understanding of neural circuits that control socially contagious behaviors. |
