Figure 1
From: Social interactions and olfactory cues are required for contagious itch in mice
Contagious itch behavior in mice: the role of social modulation and physical encounter with a cagemate. (A) Cagemate mice were habituated for three days before the experiment. Physical Encounter (PE) involved direct contact, Non-Physical Encounter (NPE) utilized a transparent barrier, and the third condition exposed mice to a video of the scratching demonstrator. Bar graphs represent the number of (B) look-scratch and (C) looks exhibited by observer mice observing a scratching cagemate demonstrator that has been injected with the effective dose of C48/80 (100 µg/site) in the physical encounter (PE) and non-physical encounter (NPE) groups relative to their corresponding control (Ctrl) groups injected with normal saline. Significant differences are indicated by asterisks (**** P < 0.0001, xxxx P < 0.0001, and * P < 0.05 for comparisons with C48/80 (PE). (D) The familiar group of mice shared a cage for two weeks. In the unfamiliar group, mice from different family cages were habituated separately before the experiment. The mean number of (E) look-scratch and (F) looks in observer mice when placed next to a cagemate or non-cagemate (Correction in all similar positions: non-cagemate) scratching demonstrator. Values are presented as mean ± SEM.
