Background

Dr. Aicher earned her B.S. in physiological psychology at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 1985 and her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa in 1989. From Iowa she moved to Cornell University Medical College to pursue postdoctoral work with Dr. Donald Reis. She was later appointed to the faculty at Cornell and was an Assistant Professor of Neurology & Neuroscience until she moved to OHSU in 2000. She is currently a Professor in the Physiology and Pharmacology Department.

Summary of Current Research

We are studying the cellular mechanisms underlying normal and pathophysiological function in both pain and autonomic reflex pathways. There are many parallels between the primary afferents that process nociceptive information and those that transmit autonomic information, the neurotransmitters contained in these afferents, and the receptors which regulate activity at each of these first sensory synapses. We are using a variety of techniques including tract tracing, dual-labeling immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, optical densitometry, behavioral and physiological measurements, and single unit activity in the brain.

We are examining the subcellular localization of neurotransmitters and receptors at specific synapses within the medullary baroreceptor reflex pathway and in the dorsal horn. The receptors studied include amino acid, peptide, adrenergic and opioid receptors; all of which are known to influence activity in these pathways. The cellular distribution of a receptor within a cell group provides important insights into the potential physiological responses to receptor ligands. 

An understanding of the normal localization of receptors within somatosensory and autonomic pathways is critical, but we are also interested in receptor plasticity in these systems. Several studies are examining changes in receptor density or subcellular localization that occur after manipulations that alter the function of either the somatosensory system (chronic morphine treatment) or autonomic system (hypertension). Changes in receptor density or localization in response to these manipulations provide insight into the mechanisms underlying functional changes.

These studies will contribute to the understanding of cellular mechanisms for plasticity in these neural systems and may influence clinical treatments for pain and hypertension.

Recent Publications

 1.     Aicher SA, Silverman MB, Winkler CW, Bebo BF Jr (2004) Hyperalgesia in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.  Pain, 110: 560-70.

2.     Drake CT, Aicher SA, Montalmant FL, Milner TA (2005) Redistribution of mu opioid receptors in C1 adrenergic neurons following chronic administration of morphine.  Experimental Neurology, 196: 365-372.

3.     Zeng J, Thomson LM, Aicher SA, Terman GW  (2006) Primary afferent NMDA receptors increase dorsal horn excitation and mediate opiate tolerance in neonatal rats, Journal of Neuroscience, 26(46): 12033-12042.

4.     Winkler CW, Hermes SM, Chavkin CI, Drake CT, Morrison SF, Aicher SA (2006) Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and GAD67 immunoreactivity are found in OFF and Neutral cells in the rostral ventromedial medulla, Journal of Neurophysiology, 96: 3465-3473.

5.     Bailey TW, Hermes SM, Andresen MC, Aicher SA (2006) Cranial visceral afferent pathways through the nucleus of the solitary tract to caudal ventrolateral medulla or paraventricular hypothalamus:  Target-specific synaptic reliability and convergence patterns.  Journal of Neuroscience, 26(46): 11893-11902.

6.     Drake CT, de Oliveria AX, Harris JA, Connor DM, Winkler CW, Aicher SA (2007)  Kappa opioid receptors in the rostral ventromedial medulla of male and female rats.  Journal of Comparative Neurology, 500: 465-476.