Research

My research involves the neurophysiology of the chemical senses, including taste, smell, and trigeminal chemoreception (chemesthesis). My present focus is the characterization of nasal trigeminal chemoreceptors as well as the assessment of the role of these receptors in the detection of odors. I am particularly interested in the effects of odorants on physiological function. Chemical stimuli entering the nasal cavity stimulate both trigeminal and olfactory receptors (as well as vomeronasal receptors). Trigeminal chemoreceptors, usually associated with irritating stimuli, are a class of pain receptors and do not constitute a separate chemical sense. In addition to their role as affectors, signaling the presence of irritating stimuli, these receptors have an effector role, initiating processes which tend to keep the irritating compound from potentially damaging the body. Examples of chemesthesis include the stinging of ammonia and the burning of horseradish and chili peppers.

Selected Publications (Graduate Students in Bold)

Gulbransen, B., Silver, W., and Finger, T. (2008) Solitary chemoreceptor cell survival is independent of intact trigeminal innervation. J. Comp. Neurol 508:62-71. click for abstract

Silver W.L. Clapp T.R., Stone L.M., and Kinnamon, S.C. (2006) TRPV1 Receptors and Nasal Trigeminal Chemesthesis. Chem. Senses 31:807-812. click for abstract

Finger T.E., Bottger B., Hansen A., Anderson K.T., Alimohammadi H., and Silver W.L. (2003) Solitary chemoreceptor cells in the nasal cavity serve as sentinels of respiration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 100:8981-6. click for abstract

Schaefer, M.L., Bottger, B., Silver, W.L., and Finger, T.E. (2002) Trigeminal collaterals in the nasal epithelium and olfactory bulb: A potential route for direct modulation of olfactory information by trigeminal stimuli. J. Comp. Neurol. 444: 221-226.click for abstract

Finger, T.E., Silver, W.L. and Restrepo, D. (editors) (2000) Neurobiology of Taste and Smell 2nd Edition . Wiley-Liss, Inc. 479 pp. click here for information

Bryant, B. and Silver, W.L. (2000) Chemesthesis: The common chemical sense. In T.E. Finger, W.L. Silver, and D. Restrepo. (editors) Neurobiology of Taste and Smell 2nd Edition . Wiley-Liss, Inc. 479 pp. 73-100.

Silver, W.L. and Browne, C.L.. (2000) Integration of laboratory exercises in development and neurobiology courses using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. J. Industrial Microbiol. Biotech. 24:353-358. click for abstract

Alimohammadi, H. and Silver, W.L. (2000) Evidence for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on nasal trigeminal nerve endings of the rat. Chem. Senses 1:61-66. click for abstract

Major, D.A. and Silver, W.L. (1999) Odorants presented to the rat nasal cavity increase cortical blood flow. Chem. Senses 24:665-669. click for abstract

Walker, J.C., Kendal-Reed, M., Keiger, C.J., Bencherif, M. and Silver, W.L. (1996) Olfactory and trigeminal responses to nicotine. Drug Dev. Res. 38: 160-168. click for abstract

Farley, L.G. and Silver, W.L. (1992) Self- and Cross-adaptation to chemical stimulation of the nasal trigeminal nerve in the rat. Chem. Senses 17: 507-518. click for abstract

Silver, W.L., Farley, L.G. and Finger, T.E. (1991) The effects of neonatal capsaicin administration on trigeminal nerve chemoreceptors in the rat nasal cavity. Brain Res. 212-216. click for abstract