Introduction to Pruritus lecture

This lesson introduces the sensory and neural foundations of itch, from its evolutionary role to the molecular and circuit mechanisms that drive itch perception. Students will explore how somatosensory pathways encode pruritus, the key neural subtypes involved, and how these systems change in chronic and pathological conditions. The session also highlights the clinical relevance of pruritus, its common comorbidities, and current therapeutic approaches. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how itch emerges from the interaction between sensory physiology, neural processing, and disease