Des scientifiques identifient un interrupteur moléculaire qui limite le grattage

Des chercheurs ont découvert un signal neuronal impliquant la molécule TRPV4 qui indique au cerveau quand le soulagement apporté par le grattage est suffisant. Des expériences menées sur des souris ont montré que, sans ce signal, les épisodes de grattage se prolongent même si la fréquence globale diminue.

Cette découverte provient d'études dirigées par Roberta Gualdani à l'Université de Louvain à Bruxelles. Son équipe a constaté que les canaux TRPV4 dans les neurones sensoriels contribuent à activer un mécanisme de rétroaction négative dans le système nerveux. Ce mécanisme informe la moelle épinière et le cerveau que le grattage a apporté satisfaction, incitant ainsi à l'arrêt du comportement.

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