Knismesis: The Aversive Facet of Tickle

The article reviews the psychophysics and neurophysiology of knismesis, a feather-light tickle, and suggests it is signaled by rapidly adapting hair follicle afferents. It can stimulate itch neurons and is moderated by other touch neurons. The authors propose that the pathological light touch intolerance seen in autism spectrum disorder may be due to hyper-responsiveness to knismesis and reduced inhibition from other sensory inputs.