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The Itch Spectrum

  • 1st Edition - March 25, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Xinzhong Dong, Brian S. Kim, Taylor Follansbee
  • Language: English

The Itch Spectrum: The Neurological and Immunological Basis of Itch and Dermatological Disorders covers the latest research on the itch signalling pathway from the skin to the br… Read more

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Description

The Itch Spectrum: The Neurological and Immunological Basis of Itch and Dermatological Disorders covers the latest research on the itch signalling pathway from the skin to the brain. With a multidisciplinary approach, this book will cover the mechanisms underlying the sensation of itch from the fields of neuroscience, immunology, genetics, and dermatology as they have intersected in the study of one somatosensory system. The purpose of this comprehensive reference is to summarize the revelatory discoveries in the field of itch and provide a comprehensive overview of what is known about this remarkable sensation and how various pathologies contribute to chronic pruritis.

Key features

  • Offers a comprehensive overview of the neurological underpinnings, immune and neuroimmune interactions, and more
  • Features an in-depth review of scientific literature from interdisciplinary fields
  • Provides clinical insights which corresponds with basic research

Readership

Researchers in neuroscience, dermatology, potential interest in graduate students in molecular neuroscience, immunology

Table of contents

Section 1: Preclinical Perspective

1. Historical perspective of itch research

2. Primary afferent neurons involved with itch

3. Receptors of itch: GPCRs

4. TRP channels for itch

5. Ion channels for itch

6. Neuroimmune interactions in itch

7. Cytokine in itch induction and modulation

8. Mast cells and itch

9. Bacteria and Virus Induced itch

10. Spinal pathways and projection neurons for itch

11. Spinal Glia–Neuron interactions in chronic itch

12. Central targets for itch

13. Aversive and reward circuits in itch processing

14. Descending modulation of itch

15. Neural coding of itch versus pain

16. Mechanical itch and alloknesis

17. Mouse models for acute itch

18. Mouse models of chronic itch

19. Mucosal itch

20. Drug induced itch

21. Conservation of itch across species

Section 2: Clinical Perspectives

22. Epidemiology of itch

23. Atopic dermatitis

24. Psoriasis

25. Prurigo nodularis

26. Cholestatic and uremic itch

27. Neuropathic itch

28. Itch caused by connective tissue diseases

29. fMRI and itch

30. Recent advances for drug targets to treat itch

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: March 26, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

XD

Xinzhong Dong

Dr. Dong is a Professor in the Departments of Neuroscience, Dermatology, Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is also an Investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He completed his PhD degree in Biochemistry at UCLA and his postdoc training at Caltech. Dr. Dong is a pioneer and world leader in the field of itch and skin biology whose works have uncovered new therapeutic targets for many of these debilitating chronic itch and skin conditions. His laboratory has taken a multidisciplinary approach to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain and itch. His lab has identified and characterized a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) called Mrgprs which are expressed in primary sensory neurons and innate immune cells and function as novel itch receptors. Dr. Dong has published over 150 papers, book chapters, reviews which have been highly cited and covered in the popular press like The New York Times, NBCnews.com, and The New Yorker. He has trained numerous successful PhD and MD/PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and physician scientists. He is also the scientific founder of Escient Pharmaceuticals in San Diego.

Affiliations and expertise
Professor, Departments of Neuroscience, Dermatology, Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is also an Investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA

BK

Brian S. Kim

Dr. Kim is a Sol and Clara Kest Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is also Director of the Mark Lebwohl Center for Neuroinflammation and Sensation and Lead of the Allen Discovery Center for Neuroimmune Interactions. He completed his MD at the University of Washington School of Medicine and MTR and postdoctoral training at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kim is a pioneer in the field of itch biology and peripheral neuroimmunology, an inventor of itch-centered technologies, and has advanced multiple agents to FDA-approval in atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis. His laboratory uncovered the specific role of type 2 cytokines and Janus kinases and mediating itch at the neuroimmune interface. Dr. Kim has published over 150 papers, book chapters, and reviews which have been featured in Health Magazine, Women’s Health, Reader’s Digest, and CBS National News. He has trained many graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and physician-scientists. He is also co-founder of Alys Pharmaceuticals in Boston, Massachusetts
Affiliations and expertise
Sol and Clara Kest Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai., USA

TF

Taylor Follansbee

Dr. Follansbee, a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, earned his undergraduate degree in Medical Biology from the University of New England, followed by a Master's in Biology from the same institution. He furthered his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of California, Davis, under the mentorship of Dr. Earl Carstens. Dr. Follansbee's expertise lies in the intricate domain of itch, a field in which he garnered international recognition, notably receiving the Handwerker Award from the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI) in 2016. Presently, his research at Johns Hopkins working with Dr. Xinzhong Dong investigates the immune interactions within the meninges, exploring their role in bacterial meningitis defence mechanisms. Beyond scholarly articles and chapters, Dr. Follansbee recently authored a comprehensive textbook on fundamental itch research, solidifying his impact in the scientific community.

Affiliations and expertise
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,, USA

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