Division of Neurophysiology (Center for Brain Research)
Position: Associate Professor
Location: Spitalgasse 4
Phone: +43 1 40160-34126
E-Mail: ruth.drdla@meduniwien.ac.at
Research Area
Acute Pain, Chronic Pain, Nociception
Research Interests
Astrocytes, Long-Term Potentiation, Microglia
Principle Investigator(s)
Grant(s)
Abstract
My research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying nociceptive processing and plasticity, with emphasis on the contribution of neuron–glia interactions to pain signaling. A central aspect of my work is the investigation of activity-dependent changes in synaptic transmission, including long-term potentiation and depression, which regulate nociceptive processing under physiological and pathological conditions. I am interested in how astrocytes and microglia influence synaptic function and plasticity, and how these interactions are shaped by sex-dependent mechanisms. Using electrophysiological, pharmacological, molecular, and behavioral approaches, my research examines processes in spinal and supraspinal circuits in the sensory and affective dimensions of pain.
Techniques
- In vivo electropyhsiology
- In vitro electrophysiology (acute slices)
- Calcium Imaging
- Behavioural Tests
- Immunostainings
- Chemogenetics, Optogenetics
Selected publications
- Kronschläger MT, Drdla-Schutting R, Gassner M, Honsek SD, Teuchmann HL, Sandkühler J (2016) Gliogenic LTP spreads widely in nociceptive pathways Science, 354: 1144-1148
| Article (PDF): 1 2 | - Gerhold K, Drdla-Schutting R, Honsek S, Forsthuber L, Sandkühler J (2015) Pronociceptive and Antinociceptive Effects of Buprenorphine in the Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn Cover a Dose Range of Four Orders of Magnitude J Neurosci, 35 (26): 9580-9594
| Article (PDF) || Weblink | - Drdla R, Benrath J, Wunderbaldinger G, Sandkühler J (2012) Erasure of a spinal memory trace of pain by a brief, high-dose opioid administration Science, 335: 235-238
| Article (PDF) || Weblink | - Heinl C, Drdla-Schutting R, Xanthos D, Sandkühler J (2011) Distinct mechanisms underlying pronociceptive effects of opioids J Neurosci, 31(46): 16748–16756
| Article (PDF) || Weblink | - Drdla R., Gassner M., Gingl E., Sandkühler J. (2009) Induction of synaptic long-term potentiation after opioid withdrawal Science, 325: 207-210
| Article (PDF) || Supplement |