Understanding Factors Involved In The Development Of Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,492.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases. Currently intervention occurs after the cardiovascular system is damaged. Our interest is in the development of high blood pressure, to determine whether early intervention could stop its progression. We identified that excitation of the sympathetic nervous system by the circuits that control breathing is important. We seek to further understand this interaction to identify novel approaches to treat high blood pressure.
Investigation Of A Novel Sympathetic Vasomotor Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,586.00
Summary
Blood pressure is regulated by sympathetic nerves to the heart and blood vessels, and it is believed that overactive sympathetic nerves contribute to many cases of hypertension. Overactive sympathetic nerves also contribute to, and worsen the disease process, in heart failure as well as other cardiovascular diseases. The regulation of sympathetic nerves is thus central to the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The present proposal is specifically relevant to the hypertensio ....Blood pressure is regulated by sympathetic nerves to the heart and blood vessels, and it is believed that overactive sympathetic nerves contribute to many cases of hypertension. Overactive sympathetic nerves also contribute to, and worsen the disease process, in heart failure as well as other cardiovascular diseases. The regulation of sympathetic nerves is thus central to the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The present proposal is specifically relevant to the hypertension which accompanies airway obstruction during sleep (obstructive sleep apnoea - OSA). We plan to study a novel class of sympathetic nerves ('accessory' sympathetic nerves), which are likely to be centrally involved in the hypertension of OSA, and probably also other conditions where sympathetic nerve activity is pathologically raised. 'Accessory' sympathetic nerves can cause a long-lasting amplification of the activity in the 'regular' sympathetic nerve pathway, enhancing its actions on the heart and blood vessels. The brain pathways that drive 'accessory' sympathetic nerves are essentially unknown. We seek to find out those pathways, study how they amplify the activity in the 'regular' pathway and explore their significance in an animal model of OSA. The outcomes of this study will be first, essential basic knowledge of a novel, but probably important, mechanism whereby the brain controls the cardiovascular system in health and disease. Second, the relevance of that mechanism to a specific type of neurogenic hypertension will have been defined.Read moreRead less
How Does The Central Respiratory Generator Amplify Sympathetic Activity In Hypertension?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,113.00
Summary
High blood pressure causes many life-threatening cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and stroke. The cause of most high blood pressure is not known. Using an animal model of high blood pressure we have shown that an interaction, in the brain, between the nerve pathways that generate respiratory activity and regulate blood pressure is altered. This occurs early in life and our evidence strongly suggests this may be a cause of high blood pressure.
Respiratory Modulation Of RVLM Premotor Neurons: Role In The Sympathetic Over-activity Of Hypertension.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,605.00
Summary
Hypertension is a common health disorder in all societies and is a major risk factor for the development of life threatening cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and stroke. Whilst some effective therapies are available, many patients are not adequately treated or have reduced quality of life due to serious side effects. There is a great need for alternative therapies. The central nervous system is clearly involved in hypertension although the level of that involvement is not well un ....Hypertension is a common health disorder in all societies and is a major risk factor for the development of life threatening cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and stroke. Whilst some effective therapies are available, many patients are not adequately treated or have reduced quality of life due to serious side effects. There is a great need for alternative therapies. The central nervous system is clearly involved in hypertension although the level of that involvement is not well understood- i.e. is it a causal factor or just a contributor to the maintenance of established hypertension? The experiments outlined in this application are based on the observation that modulation of nervous activity to blood vessels is more influenced by the respiratory system in people with high blood pressure, than in normotensive people. We aim to test whether this increased respiratory modulation might be involved in the generation of the high blood pressure.Read moreRead less
Blood pressure control by neural activation: underlying mechanisms of electric field stimulation and photostimulation of genetically targeted neurones. This project aims to understand how nerve stimulation can be used to treat drug-resistant high blood pressure. The project will lead to new benchmarks for interfacing novel technology with the nervous system and to development and enhancement of commercial devices similar to a cardiac pacemaker for patients with limited treatment options and poor ....Blood pressure control by neural activation: underlying mechanisms of electric field stimulation and photostimulation of genetically targeted neurones. This project aims to understand how nerve stimulation can be used to treat drug-resistant high blood pressure. The project will lead to new benchmarks for interfacing novel technology with the nervous system and to development and enhancement of commercial devices similar to a cardiac pacemaker for patients with limited treatment options and poor prognosis.Read moreRead less