583 lines
46 KiB
Text
583 lines
46 KiB
Text
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#">
|
||
<head>
|
||
<title>How the nervous system perceives pleasant touch | National Institutes of Health (NIH)</title>
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">
|
||
//<![CDATA[
|
||
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"nih" };
|
||
|
||
var script = document.createElement("script");
|
||
script.type = "text/javascript";
|
||
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
|
||
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
|
||
|
||
//]]>
|
||
</script><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
|
||
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rjIoO4vW0AYgltSYvxM1L_CzGIkq28kHf9gHIASKx8s" />
|
||
<link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" />
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/all/themes/nih/apple-touch-icon.png" />
|
||
<meta name="description" content="Researchers identified a signaling pathway in the spine that’s needed for the nervous system to process the sensation of pleasant touch." />
|
||
<meta name="keywords" content="Pleasant touch, positive touch, social touch, prokineticin receptor 2, PROKR2, PROK2, sensory neurons, spinal excitatory interneurons, stress response, prosocial behaviors, social isolation, anxiety, Zhou-Feng Chen, Science" />
|
||
<meta name="robots" content="follow, index" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
|
||
<meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" />
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-nervous-system-perceives-pleasant-touch" />
|
||
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nih.gov/node/240241" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="content-language" content="EN" />
|
||
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institutes of Health (NIH)" />
|
||
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="How the nervous system perceives pleasant touch" />
|
||
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-nervous-system-perceives-pleasant-touch" />
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="Researchers identified a signaling pathway in the spine that’s needed for the nervous system to process the sensation of pleasant touch." />
|
||
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2022-06-07T12:52:12-04:00" />
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="How the nervous system perceives pleasant touch" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-nervous-system-perceives-pleasant-touch" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Researchers identified a signaling pathway in the spine that’s needed for the nervous system to process the sensation of pleasant touch." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg" />
|
||
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2022-05-23T12:54:44-04:00" />
|
||
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2022-06-07T12:52:12-04:00" />
|
||
<meta name="owner" content="OD" />
|
||
<meta name="published_date" content="2022-05-23T12:54:44-04:00" />
|
||
<meta name="last_revision" content="2022-06-07T12:52:12-04:00" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_PfvPCWanzn7FjDwZqwAHhPoOxYKwkQP-RZSK1pFFG0s.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css__mIWP9gcStq74isjZVoAAsiih8VXwJoN75Nyw_BXrj0.css" media="screen" />
|
||
<style media="print">#sb-container{position:relative;}#sb-overlay{display:none;}#sb-wrapper{position:relative;top:0;left:0;}#sb-loading{display:none;}
|
||
</style>
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_jENQOQqZCRFGZK__DTefxYiXR2RUf03k1ugj3_Vg7vk.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_3yt-b0M1HNJsvKsXwYjh5TEtX2lJGAvJvtmVAfORYZs.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Droid+Sans:700,regular|Droid+Serif:italic,regular&subset=latin" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_E4VlyxyL3JMcT6dslWLGb0uQdoI2bh_Xj0N65V-bcWo.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_5rDMv37-JxnNA70cRr_1jlAjVs56DCb8EN4XB2QLl0c.css" media="all" />
|
||
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_aLJB_yHt22A_mQek4IRDNsur5tEkCpqLe72j_w6QHQ0.css" media="all" />
|
||
<![endif]-->
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_KviiBystpJcQq4MplcQZvCFxnu9V763f5bPq_AKh4xM.css" media="all" />
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_mQAv54bz2JVXcwS5QWlz0fVY9Os67zeu9bgNqtlVLPY.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>
|
||
<script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.2/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
|
||
<script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script>
|
||
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.4.1.min.js"></script>
|
||
<script>window.jQuery && window.jQuery.migrateWarnings || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1.4.1/jquery-migrate.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_9sGTPBGcOGZjLiSLGrYEnuUf8VdvLmL_DEZNNNbnHXk.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_hNnF7a_sbk6nZ2-mOamHzalYND7HBHDLRInsaU93HDk.js"></script>
|
||
<script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.js"></script>
|
||
<script defer="defer" src="//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0011/2616.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_3s0l7MQ3oYmGkNAypyzCJq3a0wT85XX_P1SLgnph5K4.js"></script>
|
||
<script>
|
||
Shadowbox.path = "/sites/all/libraries/shadowbox/";
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"instances":"{\u0022default\u0022:{\u0022content\u0022:{\u0022text\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022style\u0022:{\u0022tip\u0022:false,\u0022classes\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022position\u0022:{\u0022at\u0022:\u0022bottom right\u0022,\u0022adjust\u0022:{\u0022method\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022my\u0022:\u0022top left\u0022,\u0022viewport\u0022:false},\u0022show\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseenter \u0022},\u0022hide\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseleave \u0022}}}","qtipDebug":"{\u0022leaveElement\u0022:0}","shadowbox":{"animate":true,"animateFade":true,"animSequence":"wh","auto_enable_all_images":1,"auto_gallery":1,"autoplayMovies":true,"continuous":false,"counterLimit":10,"counterType":"default","displayCounter":true,"displayNav":true,"enableKeys":true,"fadeDuration":0.34999999999999998,"handleOversize":"resize","handleUnsupported":"link","initialHeight":160,"initialWidth":320,"language":"en","modal":false,"overlayColor":"#000","overlayOpacity":0.80000000000000004,"resizeDuration":0.55000000000000004,"showMovieControls":true,"slideshowDelay":0,"viewportPadding":20,"useSizzle":false},"picture":{"mappings":[["Sidebar media mappings","sidebar_media_mappings"],["Floated media mappings","floated_media_mappings"],["Not Set","not_set"]],"label":"Image size (required)"},"extlink":{"extTarget":"_blank","extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extIconPlacement":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"(.\\.nih\\.gov.)|(.\\.cancer\\.gov.)|(.\\.genome\\.gov.)|(.\\.drugabuse\\.gov.)|(locatorplus\\.gov.)|(.\\.govdelivery\\.com.)|(.\\.hatchbuck\\.com.)|(nihseniorhealth\\.gov.)|(clinicaltrials\\.gov.)|(search\\.usa\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(search\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(drugabuse\\.gov.)|(medlineplus\\.gov.)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov.)|(smokefree\\.gov.)|(arpa-h\\.gov.)|(nih\\.sharepoint\\.com)","extInclude":"(.\\.pagefreezer\\.com.)","extCssExclude":".media, .emergency-message, .slideshow-main, .bean-home-slideshow-2l-block","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are leaving the NIH website.\r\n\r\nThis external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.\r\n\r\nLinking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site\u2019s privacy policy when you follow the link.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)","extUseFontAwesome":0}});</script>
|
||
|
||
<script type="application/javascript" id="uws-snippet">
|
||
// Verint Unified WebSDK Integration Snippet v2.3
|
||
//
|
||
// Instructions: please embed this snippet directly into every page of your website template.
|
||
// For optimal performance, this should be embedded directly into the template, not referenced as
|
||
// an external file.
|
||
//
|
||
// DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE *****************************************
|
||
(function () {
|
||
var cookies = document.cookie.split("; ").reduce(function (o, i) { var p = i.split("="); o[p[0]] = p[1]; return o; }, {});
|
||
var containerValue = cookies.uws_container_override && JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(cookies.uws_container_override));
|
||
var config = {
|
||
moduleHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
|
||
configHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
|
||
siteKey: "nih-gov",
|
||
container: containerValue || "live",
|
||
loadTime: Date.now()
|
||
};
|
||
var readyCallbacks = []; window.uwsReady = function (callback) { readyCallbacks.push(callback); };
|
||
var sdkPath = "//" + [config.moduleHost, "files/sites", config.siteKey, config.container, "sdk.js"].join("/");
|
||
var script = document.createElement("script"); script.src = sdkPath; script.async = true; script.type = "module";
|
||
script.addEventListener("load", function () { window.unifiedSDK.start(config, readyCallbacks); });
|
||
document.head.appendChild(script);
|
||
})();
|
||
// DO NOT MODIFY ABOVE THIS LINE *****************************************
|
||
</script>
|
||
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-240241 node-type-nih-research-matters section navigation-nih-research-matters section-news-events">
|
||
<a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a>
|
||
<noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5CBCNW2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
|
||
<div class="l-page has-one-sidebar has-sidebar-second">
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-page-content">
|
||
|
||
<header class="l-header" role="banner">
|
||
<div class="l-ribbon-wrapper">
|
||
<ul class="l-ribbon">
|
||
<li><span class="ribbon-hhs"></span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health & Human Services</a><span class="ribbon-right"></span></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div> <div class="l-banner-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-banner">
|
||
<div class="l-branding">
|
||
<a class="nih-logo icon-nih-logo" href="/" title="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" rel="home"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nih/images/nih-logo-color.png" width="390" height="60" alt="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" /></a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
|
||
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" id="search" class="search-form site-search" method="get">
|
||
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
|
||
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
|
||
<label for="query" class="hide">Search the NIH Website</label>
|
||
<input autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-site-search" id="query" name="query" type="text" placeholder="Search NIH" /><input type="submit" name="commit" value="Search" class="form-button form-button-site-search" />
|
||
</form>
|
||
<ul class="banner-utilities">
|
||
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://ned.nih.gov/">Staff Directory</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-navigation-wrapper">
|
||
<!-- ****************** SITE MENU ****************** -->
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">Site Menu</h2>
|
||
<nav class="l-menu-wrapper">
|
||
<ul class="l-menu">
|
||
<!-- ********* HOME TAB (Mobile view only) ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-home">
|
||
<div class="tab home"><a href="/"><span>Home</span></a></div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* HEALTH INFO TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-healthinfo tab-wrapper-left">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/health-information"><span>Health Information</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul class="sub-menu">
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/health-care-facilities/index.html">Health Care Providers & Facilities</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/health-information/health-info-lines">Health Info Lines</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you">NIH Clinical Research Trials and You</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor">Talking to Your Doctor</a></li>
|
||
<!--<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/clear-health-nih" title="">Clear Health A–Z</a></li>-->
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/health-information" title="More Health Information">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<form id="hipsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" method="get" class="search-form">
|
||
<p class="subhead"><label for="query2">Search Health Topics</label></p>
|
||
<div class="input-wrapper">
|
||
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
|
||
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="hip" />
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="940" />
|
||
<input autocomplete="on" maxlength="50" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
|
||
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul class="sub-menu">
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-medlineplus" href="https://medlineplus.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">MedlinePlus Health Info</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-wellnesstoolkits" href="/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits"><span class="minibadge-text">Wellness Toolkits</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* GRANTS TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-grants tab-wrapper-left">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/grants-funding"><span>Grants & Funding</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov">Grants Home Page</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm">Find Funding</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm">Due Dates</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html">How to Apply</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/about_grants.htm">About Grants</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/index.htm">Policy & Compliance</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/">Grants News/Blog</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/contracts.htm">Contracts</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.lrp.nih.gov/">Loan Repayment</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/grants-funding" title="More Grants & Funding Information">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-report" href="https://report.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">RePORT</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-era" href="https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/"><span class="minibadge-text">eRA Commons</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-commonfund" href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Common Fund</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* NEWS TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-news tab-wrapper-left">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/news-events"><span>News & Events</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/news-releases">News Releases</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/digital-media-kits">Digital Media Kits</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/media-resources">Media Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/images-b-roll">Images and B-roll</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/events">Events</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/social-media-outreach">Social Media</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/news-events" title="More News & Events">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-researchmatters" href="/news-events/nih-research-matters"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Research Matters</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihrecord" href="https://nihrecord.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Record</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* RESEARCH TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-research tab-wrapper-right">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/research-training"><span>Research & Training</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/medical-research-initiatives">Medical Research Initiatives</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/science-highlights">Science Highlights</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/research-nih-labs-clinics">Research in NIH Labs & Clinics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/training-opportunities">Training Opportunities</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/library-resources">Library Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/research-resources">Research Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/clinical-research-resources">Clinical Research Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/safety-regulation-guidance">Safety, Regulation and Guidance</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/research-training" title="More Research & Training">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-pubmed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">PubMed</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-stemcell" href="https://stemcells.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">Stem Cell Information</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-oppnet" href="https://oppnet.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">OppNet</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nidb" href="https://intramural.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIDB</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihblueprint" href="https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* INSTITUTES TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-institutes tab-wrapper-right">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/institutes-nih"><span>Institutes at NIH</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers">List of Institutes and Centers</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/directors-nih-institutes-centers">Directors of NIH Institutes and Centers</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-institute-center-contact-information">NIH Institute and Center Contact Information</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/institutes-nih" title="More About the Institutes at NIH">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul class="ic-acronymn-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.gov" title="National Cancer Institute">NCI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nei.nih.gov" title="National Eye Institute">NEI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov" title="National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute">NHLBI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.genome.gov" title="National Human Genome Research Institute">NHGRI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Aging">NIA</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism">NIAAA</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases">NIAID</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases">NIAMS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering">NIBIB</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov" title="Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development">NICHD</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders">NIDCD</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research">NIDCR</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases">NIDDK</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nida.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Drug Abuse">NIDA</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences">NIEHS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov" title="National Institute of General Medical Sciences">NIGMS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nimhd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities">NIMHD</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke">NINDS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.ninr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Nursing Research">NINR</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.cc.nih.gov" title="NIH Clinical Center">CC</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.cit.nih.gov" title="Center for Information Technology">CIT</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.csr.nih.gov" title="Center for Scientific Review">CSR</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.fic.nih.gov" title="Fogarty International Center">FIC</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://ncats.nih.gov" title="National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences">NCATS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nccih.nih.gov" title="National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health">NCCIH</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* ABOUT TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-about tab-wrapper-right">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/about-nih"><span>About NIH</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are">Who We Are</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do">What We Do</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://hr.nih.gov/jobs">Jobs at NIH</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li>
|
||
<!--<li><a href="/about-nih/explore-nih">Explore NIH</a></li>-->
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/about-nih" title="More About NIH">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director">The NIH Director</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Take the Virtual Tour</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health">NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>®</sup></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research">Impact of NIH Research</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/science-health-public-trust">Science, Health, and Public Trust</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<div class="tab-bkgnd"></div><!-- For pixel rounding issue -->
|
||
</nav>
|
||
<!-- ****************** END SITE MENU ****************** -->
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-main-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-main" id="page-content">
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> » <a href="/news-events">News & Events</a> » <a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></div> <div class="l-region l-region--section-header">
|
||
<div id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101" id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<h2><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></h2> </div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="l-content-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-content" role="main">
|
||
<a id="main-content"></a>
|
||
<div about="/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-nervous-system-perceives-pleasant-touch" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" class="ds-1col node node--nih-research-matters view-mode-full node--full node--nih-research-matters--full clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p class="publishdate"><span property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2022-05-24T00:00:00-04:00" class="date-display-single">May 24, 2022</span></p><div class='syndicate'><h1>How the nervous system perceives pleasant touch</h1><div class="callout callout-with-border"><h3>At a Glance</h3>
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Researchers identified a signaling pathway in the spine that’s needed for the nervous system to process the sensation of pleasant touch.</li>
|
||
<li>Nerve-cell signaling using this pathway may help ease social isolation, anxiety, and other mental health issues.</li>
|
||
</ul></div><div class="media-float-right"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<picture title="Mouse grooming pups">
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg?itok=s7tTRig5&timestamp=1653400991 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg?itok=XlHr5W6q&timestamp=1653400991 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg?itok=7XXuteOF&timestamp=1653400991 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg?itok=xwev7tFv&timestamp=1653400991 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg?itok=Ei_AmwWV&timestamp=1653400991 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)" />
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
|
||
<img src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2022/20220522-mice-light-pink.jpg?itok=XlHr5W6q&timestamp=1653400991" alt="Mouse grooming pups" title="Mouse grooming pups" />
|
||
</picture><span class="caption">Grooming and other forms of pleasant touch can have many beneficial effects for animals, including people.</span><span class="credit">tilialucida / Shutterstock</span></div>
|
||
|
||
</div><p>For social animals like people, touch is vital. Pleasant touch, such as hugging, cuddling, or holding hands, can provide a positive emotional boost, reduce stress, and strengthen social bonds.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>But more is known about how the nervous system processes unpleasant sensations like pain and itch than pleasant touch. Studies have previously identified some types of nerve cells that seem to play a role in sensing positive touch. But how the sense of positive touch is transmitted to the brain hasn’t been understood.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>In a new study, an NIH-funded research team led by Dr. Zhou-Feng Chen from Washington University in St. Louis used mice to explore the role of a molecule called prokineticin receptor 2, or PROKR2, in transmitting the sensation of pleasant touch. PROKR2 is a receptor found on the surface of some types of nerve cells. The researchers had identified PROKR2 by searching for all receptors on neurons in part of the spinal cord involved in sensory perception. Results of the study were published on April 29, 2022, in <em>Science</em>.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>When the team engineered mice to lack PROKR2 or the signaling molecule that binds to it—a neuropeptide called PROK2—the mice didn’t lose the ability to sense pain or itch. But testing whether PROKR2 nerve-cell signaling affected their ability to enjoy pleasant touch was more difficult. Like humans who don’t like being touched by a stranger, mice don’t normally like to be handled by people or touched by an unfamiliar object.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>To overcome this obstacle, the team slowly conditioned the mice to accept gentle stroking with a brush. This provides a pleasant sensation akin to being groomed by another mouse. Then, the researchers let the mice choose between two chambers in a cage: one where they would receive gentle stroking and one without touch.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Normal mice with PROK2 and PROKR2 developed a preference for the chamber where they received gentle stroking. In contrast, mice engineered to lack PROKR2 or PROKR2 in their spinal neurons did not. When the researchers used a technique called optogenetics to control when PROKR2 neurons were turned on, the mice preferred chambers in which those neurons were activated. These findings suggested that signaling driven by PROK2 and PROKR2 is required for the mice to enjoy pleasant touch, and that activation of PROKR2 neurons is rewarding.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>The team also found that normal mice showed signs of reduced stress while being stroked, such as a lowered heart rate and drops in blood hormones related to stress. In contrast, mice lacking PROKR2 didn’t show reductions in stress from pleasant touch.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Technology that could record the activity of neurons in living mice showed that neurons with PROKR2 responded strongly to gentle stroking at a medium speed but less so at a slower or faster speed. This is similar to a pattern seen in sensory fibers called C tactile fibers, which are responsible for sensing pleasant touch in human skin.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>In a final set of experiments, mice lacking PROKR2 from birth displayed more stress in response to changes in their environment. They also lacked normal social behaviors, such as curiosity about a new mouse or social grooming. Deficiencies in signaling controlled by PROK2 and PROKR2 could potentially play a role in social isolation, anxiety, and some developmental disorders.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>"Now that we know which neuropeptide and receptor transmit only pleasant touch sensations, it may be possible to enhance pleasant touch signals without interfering with other circuits, which is crucial because pleasant touch boosts several hormones in the brain that are essential for social interactions and mental health,” Chen says.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>—by Sharon Reynolds</p></div><h2 class="label-above">Related Links</h2><ul class="spaced print-urls"><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-identify-culprit-chronic-itch" target="_top">Scientists Identify a Culprit for Chronic Itch</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/compound-reduces-chronic-itch-mice" target="_top">Compound Reduces Chronic Itch in Mice</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-gentle-touch-can-turn-painful-after-injury" target="_top">How Gentle Touch Can Turn Painful After Injury</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-define-molecules-role-itch-pain-pathways" target="_top">Scientists Define Molecule’s Role in Itch and Pain Pathways</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/rare-disorder-reveals-insights-into-touch-body-awareness" target="_top">Rare Disorder Reveals Insights into Touch and Body Awareness</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/discriminating-touch" target="_top">Discriminating Touch</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/sensing-positive-touch" target="_top">Sensing Positive Touch</a></li></ul><p class="footnote"><strong class="label-inline">References: </strong><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35482870/">Molecular and neural basis of pleasant touch sensation.</a> Liu B, Qiao L, Liu K, Liu J, Piccinni-Ash TJ, Chen ZF. <em>Science</em>. 2022 Apr 29;376(6592):483-491. doi: 10.1126/science.abn2479. Epub 2022 Apr 28. PMID: 35482870.</p><p class="footnote"><strong class="label-inline">Funding: </strong>NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).</p>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="lastupdated">
|
||
</div> </div>
|
||
<aside class="l-region l-region--sidebar-second masonry-container">
|
||
<div id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition" id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">In this Edition</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div class="view view-nih-rm-in-this-edition view-id-nih_rm_in_this_edition view-display-id-default view-dom-id-be46eced1e9ace0624fdfe2995ae89c5">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="view-content">
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/antioxidant-effects-dementia-risk-may-differ">Antioxidant effects on dementia risk may differ</a></p> </div>
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/health-benefits-dietary-fibers-vary">Health benefits of dietary fibers vary </a></p> </div>
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-nervous-system-perceives-pleasant-touch" class="active">How the nervous system perceives pleasant touch</a></p> </div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div> </div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search" id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">Search NIH Research Matters</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---search" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
|
||
<form id="directorsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search/docs" method="get" class="search-form">
|
||
<div class="input-wrapper">
|
||
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
|
||
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="678" />
|
||
<label for="query2" class="hide">Search NIH Research Matters' stories</label>
|
||
<input autocomplete="off" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
|
||
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us" id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">Connect with Us</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---contact-us" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><a class="button-link" href="https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIH/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIH_48" onclick="window.open(this.href,'popup','width=725,height=500,left=25,top=25,location=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes');return false;">Subscribe to get NIH Research Matters by email</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<ul class="icon-list">
|
||
<li><a class="icon-link rss-monochrome" href="/nih-research-matters/feed.xml"><span class="icon"></span>RSS feed</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="icon-link facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/ResearchMatters"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="icon-link email-monochrome" href="mailto:nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Email us</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Mailing Address:</strong><br />
|
||
NIH Research Matters<br />
|
||
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B52, MSC 2094<br />
|
||
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori" id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">Popular Stories</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---popular-stori" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging">Research in Context: Can we slow aging?</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy">Brain changes observed during pregnancy</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-detecting-cancer">Research in Context: Detecting cancer</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states">Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States </a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/complete-wiring-map-adult-fruit-fly-brain">Complete wiring map of an adult fruit fly brain</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about" id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">About NIH Research Matters</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---about" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Editor:</strong> Harrison Wein, Ph.D.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Assistant Editors:</strong> Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong><em>NIH Research Matters </em></strong>is a weekly update of NIH research highlights reviewed by NIH’s experts. It's published by the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison">Office of Communications and Public Liaison</a> in the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a>.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>ISSN 2375-9593</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</aside>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="l-connect-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-connect">
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">Connect with Us</h2>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="contactus-monochrome" href="/about-nih/contact-us"><span class="icon"></span>Contact Us</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="twitter-monochrome" href="https://twitter.com/NIH"><span class="icon"></span>X</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="instagram-monochrome" href="https://www.instagram.com/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Instagram</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="youtube-monochrome" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nihod"><span class="icon"></span>YouTube</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="flickr-monochrome" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Flickr</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="social-monochrome" href="/news-events/social-media-outreach"><span class="icon"></span>More Social Media from NIH</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-footer-wrapper">
|
||
<footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo">
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">Footer</h2>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/">NIH Home</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/nih-website-archives">NIH Website Archives</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/nondiscrimination-notice">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/freedom-information-act-office">Freedom of Information Act</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.edi.nih.gov/no-fear-act">No Fear Act</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov">Office of Inspector General</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="lastTab" href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>®</sup></p>
|
||
<p>National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892</p>
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="back-to-top"><a href="#"><span class="icon-arrow-up"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span></a></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_E9yUYWK8EMydR0HMIp2PahVxPAClXyH0Cnh782A15UM.js"></script>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|