Butorphanol suppression of histamine itch is mediated by nucleus accumbens and septal nuclei: a pharmacological fMRI study.

ABSTRACT: Opioid receptors in the central nervous system are important modulators of itch transmission. In this study, we examined the effect of mixed-action opioid butorphanol on histamine itch, cowhage itch, and heat pain in healthy volunteers. Using functional MRI, we investigated significant changes in cerebral perfusion to identify the critical brain centers mediating the antipruritic effect of butorphanol. Butorphanol suppressed the itch induced experimentally with histamine, reduced the intensity of cowhage itch by approximately 35%, and did not affect heat pain sensitivity. In comparison with the placebo, butorphanol produced a bilateral deactivation of claustrum, insula, and putamen, areas activated during itch processing. Analysis of cerebral perfusion patterns of brain processing of itch

SUBMITTER: Papoiu ADP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4289457 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature