Figure 1. Visualization of Neurons Activated by Pain- and Itch-Inducing Stimuli (IMAGE)
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Formalin was injected into the hind paw and histamine into the neck of a mouse to induce pain and itch, respectively. The activation patterns of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) neurons were then analyzed. To determine whether the activation patterns vary not only based on the type of sensory stimulus but also on prior stimulus experience, the experiment was designed to distinguish between primary and secondary stimuli.
Green represents neurons activated by the primary stimulus. Red represents neurons newly activated by the secondary stimulus (pain or itch). The research team quantitatively compared the distribution patterns, overlap ratios, and locations of neurons activated by both stimuli, confirming that pain and itch are processed by independent neuronal populations. Additionally, some neurons responded exclusively to a specific sensory input (pain or itch), while others exhibited stimulus-independent responses influenced by prior stimulus experiences.
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