Mueller SM, Mueller F, Reinhardt J, et al. - Using a histamine skin prick itch model (histamine 1% applied onto the volar forearm) and functional MRI, researchers compared 15 female and 15 male healthy individuals in a double-blinded, within-subject, placebo-controlled study to identify gender differences in intensity, skin flares and central processing of histaminergic itch. According to results, the erythema and wheal following histamine skin pricking have been (non-significantly) larger in men, showing that higher mean itch intensities on the right volar forearm in women may not be explained by more intense flares. The gender activation pattern comparison showed enhanced activity in men relative to women in the left middle temporal gyrus (temporooccipital part)/lateral occipital cortex. Consequently, the results show that histaminergic itch perception and central itch processing vary under standardized conditions between the genders.