Jessica Alexander
B.A. in Human Development, University of Chicago
Thesis Advisor: Phillip Popovich
E-Mail: alexander.387@osu.edu
Research:
Interactions among the endocrine, immune and nervous systems enable stressors to produce multi-level, functionally significant disruptions of homeostasis. The adaptive utility of the stress response is determined by the context in which it occurs; for instance, the biochemical cascade associated with acute stress transiently suppresses pain, which may increase the chance of survival in a threatening situation. The presence of stress hormones at the time of injury or during the course of an antecedent pathology may, however, impair recovery. I am investigating the role of stress in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain, a condition characterized by neuroinflammation and substantial nervous system plasticity. Thalamic ischemia, due to stroke, produces symptoms of neuropathic pain in humans. Using experimental models of stroke and cardiac arrest, we hope to delineate mechanisms underlying painful sequelae and the susceptibility to exacerbation by stress. In collaborative projects with Phil Popovich, I am compiling evidence for similar pain-enhancing effects of stress in peripheral nerve injury. Ultimately, the outcome of these studies should present mechanisms by which stress alters sensory function, and provide potential therapeutic targets, including behavioral and pharmacological treatments.
Publications:
Alexander, J.K., DeVries, A.C., Popovich, P.G. Stress exacerbates neuropathic pain. (ms in preparation)
Alexander, J.K., DeVries, A.C., Popovich, P.G. Stress potentiates neuropathic pain in fractalkine receptor knockout mice. (ms in preparation)
DeVries AC, Craft TK, Glasper ER, Neigh GN, Alexander JK. (2007) Social influences on stress responses and health. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 32(6):587-603.
Alexander JK, Hillier A, Smith RM, Tivarus ME, and Beversdorf DQ (2007) Beta-adrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility during stress. J Cogn Neurosci. 19(3):468-78.
Hillier A, Alexander JK, and Beversdorf DQ (2006) The effect of auditory stressors on cognitive flexibility. Neurocase. 12(4):228-31.
Presentations at National Meetings:
Alexander, J.K., Kigerl, K.A., DeVries, A.C., Popovich, P.G. Stress-Induced Exacerbation of Neuropathic Pain by Corticosterone. 12th World Congress on Pain, International Association for the Study of Pain, Glasgow, Scotland, August 17-22, 2008.
Beversdorf, D.Q., Birmingham, D.J., Arasu, V., Alexander, J.K., Campbell, H.L., White, C.A., Hillier, A., and Bauman, M. Prenatal stress and maternal serotonin transporter protein polymorphisms in autism. 59th Annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Boston, MA, April 28-May 5, 2007.
Alexander, J.K., DeVries, A.C., Popovich, P.G. Stress and social effects on neuropathic pain. 36th Annual Meeting of The Society for Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA, October 14-18, 2006.
Alexander, J.K., DeVries, A.C., Popovich, P.G. Stress-induced enhancement of neuropathic pain is mediated by corticosterone. 13th Annual Meeting of the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society, Miami, FL, May 31-June 3, 2006.
DeVries, A.C., Alexander, J.K., Glasper, E.R., Craft, T.K.S. Effects of a Perinatal Manipulation on Wound Healing in Adult Mice. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., November 12-16, 2005.
Alexander, J.K., Hillier, A., Smith, R.M., Tivarus, M.E. & Beversdorf, D.Q. Noradrenergic Modulation of Cognitive Flexibility During Stress. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., November 12-16, 2005.
Alexander, J.K., DeVries, A.C., Popovich, P.G. Restraint stress immediately prior to SNI enhances neuropathic pain. International Conference on the Mechanisms and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, San Francisco, CA, November 3-5, 2005.
Hillier, A., Alexander, J.K., Tivarus, M.E., Smyth, S.E., Campbell, H., Marcetich, A., Kitzmiller, J., Narayanan, A., Carpenter, A., & Beversdorf, D.Q. Effect of stress on cognitive flexibility among those on the autism spectrum. International Meeting for Autism Research annual meeting, P2A.1.12. 2005.
Alexander J.K. and D.Q. Beversdorf, D.Q. Cognitive Consequences of Examination Stress. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, October 23-27, 2004.
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