Friday, July 26, 2013

MRGPRB4

We have been reading some very interesting publications regarding the neurological basis for why animals enjoy being petted.  Science!

According to an article in the journal Nature, a specific rare population of sensory neurons that express a receptor identified as MRGPRB4, is activated by massage-like stroking of skin that is populated by hair.  These neurons are not activated by poking (which, scientifically speaking, is noxious punctate mechanical stimulation - a term that is tremendously marvelous).  Activation of the MRGPRB4 receptors was determined to be "positively reinforcing and/or anxiolytic" - in layman's terms, enjoyable and soothing.  Fascinating.

I would like to have my MRGPRB4 receptor-bearing neurons activated, please.

Tiny dog does indeed enjoy stimulation of MRGPRB4 receptor-bearing neurons. 

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