Fig. 5

Correlations between itch- and anxiety/depression-related behavior and the expression of reward-related signaling molecules in the brain reward regions and in mice. A Correlation analysis heatmap comparing the itch- and anxiety/depression-related behavior to target protein expression the NAcc, dStr, and VTA. Color represents Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients. Blue denotes a positive correlation and red a negative correlation. Non-significant correlations are left blank. B Scatterplots depicting the associations that showed the strong correlations for each behavioral test. For each relationship, the correlation score (r) and the p value are indicated. The linear model describing the relationship is depicted as a solid line with a 95% confidence interval given as dashed lines. EPM elevated plus maze, OFT open-field test, TST tail suspension test. NAcc nucleus accumbens, dStr dorsal striatum, VTA ventral tegmental area. NOR untreated control group, MC903 MC903-induced atopic dermatitis group, pAP MC903- and preventive acupuncture-treated group, tAP MC903- and therapeutic acupuncture-treated group, CP MC903- and acupuncture at control point (non-acupoint)-treated group