Glenn J. Giesler, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neuroscience
E-mail: giesler@umn.edu |
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Research Interests:
Our laboratory's major interest is in determining the neural mechanisms
responsible for conveying information about painful stimuli from
the spinal cord to the brain. We have studied several pathways,
including the spinohypothalamic and postsynaptic dorsal column systems.
Recently we have concentrated on understanding the role of the large
number of spinal cord neurons that project to the posterior region
of the thalamus in nociceptive processing and on the contributions
of neurons in this area to production of itch.
In our studies, we use several techniques. Physiologically, we
examine the responses of individual neurons that form these projections
to painful and itch-producing stimulation of the skin and noxious
stimulation of visceral tissues. In addition, we use a number of
anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques to examine these projections
and immunocytochemical techniques to determine the neurotransmitters,
receptors or channels that may be involved.
Selected Publications:
(For a comprehensive list of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.)
Davidson, S., Zhang, X., Khasabov, S.G., Simone, D.A., and Giesler, G.J., Jr. 2009 Relief of itch by scratching: state-dependent inhibition of primate spinothalamic tract neurons. Nat. Neurosci.12: 544-546.
Davidson, S., Zhang, X., Khasabov, S.G., Simone, D.A., and Giesler, G.J., Jr. 2008 Termination zones of functionally characterized spinothalamic tract neurons within the primate posterior thalamus. J. Neurophys. 100: 2026-2037.
Davidson S, Zhang X, Yoon CH, Khasabov SG, Simone DA, Giesler GJ Jr. The itch-producing agents histamine and cowhage activate separate populations of primate spinothalamic tract neurons. J Neurosci. 2007 Sep 12;27(37):10007-14.
Zhang, X., Davidson, S., and Giesler, G.J., Jr. 2006 Thermally identified subgroups of marginal zone neurons project to distinct regions of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus in rats. J. Neurosci. 26:5215-5223.
Zhang X, Giesler GJ Jr. Response characterstics of spinothalamic tract neurons that project to the posterior thalamus in rats. J Neurophysiol. 2005 May;93(5):2552-64.
Simone DA, Zhang X, Li J, Zhang JM, Honda CN, LaMotte RH, Giesler
GJ Jr. Comparison of responses of primate spinothalamic tract neurons
to pruritic and algogenic stimuli. J
Neurophysiol. 2004 Jan;91(1):213-22
Truong H, McGinnis L, Dindo L, Honda CN, Giesler GJ Jr.Identification
of dorsal root ganglion neurons that innervate the common bile duct
of rats. Exp
Brain Res. 2003 Dec 19
Current Graduate Students:
Steve Davidson
(Neuroscience, University of Minnesota).
Former Graduate Students:
Rami Burstein (Ph.D.). Assistant Professor, Dept. of Neurobiology,
Harvard University.
Kenneth D. Cliffer (Ph.D.). Staff Scientist, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals,
Terrytown, NY.
Robert Dado (Ph.D. 1992, Neuroscience,
University of Minnesota).
James T. Katter (Ph.D. 1993,
Neuroscience, University of Minnesota).
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