Unlike the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerve cells, whose long extensions reach the skin and internal organs, are capable of regenerating after injury. This is why injuries to the central ...

A tickly itch, a painful scratch, or the feeling of a refreshing breeze—the skin is teaming with nerve endings that drive these sensations. Scientists are getting into the epidermis to explore how ...

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 ...

Obesity is a global health problem that affects many people. In recent years, very promising anti-obesity drugs have been developed. Despite these successes, there are patients who do not respond to ...

We’re celebrating 180 years of Scientific American. Explore our legacy of discovery and look ahead to the future. Billions of nerve cells send signals coursing through our bodies, serving as conduits ...