16 Nerve Cell Types Identified in Human Touch

Summary: Researchers identified 16 distinct types of nerve cells involved in human touch and compared them with those in mice and macaques, showing both shared and unique traits. The study reveals unexpected complexities in how nerve cells respond to stimuli, suggesting a sensory system that integrates multiple types of sensations.

Notably, some nerve cells involved in sensing touch also respond to heat and cooling, indicating an intricate pathway for processing pleasant sensations. This work sheds light on the evolutionary differences in nerve signaling, particularly in the speed of pain response in humans.

Findings could pave the way for better understanding sensory processing and pain management. Further research may uncover even more cell types and expand our knowledge of sensory nerve pathways.

No less than 16 different types of nerve cells have been identified by scientists in a new study on the human sense of touch. Comparisons between humans, mice and macaques show both similarities and significant differences.

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