Itch suppression in mice and dogs by modulation of spinal α2 and α3GABA receptors.

Chronic itch is a highly debilitating condition affecting about 10% of the general population. The relay of itch signals is under tight control by inhibitory circuits of the spinal dorsal horn, which may offer a hitherto unexploited therapeutic opportunity. Here, we found that specific pharmacological targeting of inhibitory α2 and α3GABA receptors reduces acute histaminergic and non-histaminergic itch in mice.