Ever wonder why you sneeze when exposed to pollen or cough when you have a cold? Scientists have discovered that your brain has specific neurons for each reflex. ‘Sneeze neurons’ in your nasal passages send signals to the brain to trigger a sneeze, while ‘cough neurons’ in the trachea send a message to cough. This exciting research, conducted on mice, may lead to better treatments for allergies and chronic coughs.

The study revealed that a compound called BAM 8-22 activates an ion channel, MrgprC11, causing sneezing. When scientists removed this channel, even sick mice stopped sneezing. However, the same mice continued coughing due to neurons in their trachea, which are triggered by a different chemical called somatostatin.

Why does this matter? Chronic coughing and sneezing due to allergies or viral infections can be tough to manage, with current treatments like codeine often causing side effects like drowsiness. By understanding how these neurons work, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for chronic coughs and allergies, potentially offering relief to millions.

At 360/Health, we aim to simplify your healthcare experience by helping you stay informed about new breakthroughs like this. Whether it’s managing allergies, tracking your symptoms, or getting answers to your health questions, 360/Health is your all-in-one platform for better healthcare.

References

Cell Article
Sun, Z., Johnson, C. H., & Patel, S. R. (2024). The neural basis of respiratory reflexes. Cell, 186(11), 2534-2545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.023

Nature Article
Osborne, B. (2024). Cough or sneeze? How the brain knows what to unleash. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02858-9