A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medic ....A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medical treatment.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Coronary Artery Baroreceptors In Cardiopulmonary Reflexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,018.00
Summary
The blood vessels and heart contain sensors that report on the state of the circulation to the brain. Blood vessel sensors send information about the level of blood pressure to the brain, and the brain coordinates appropriate changes in the activity of the heart and blood vessels so that blood pressure stays within narrow limits and blood flow to the brain is protected. Heart sensors send information to the brain about pressures in the heart and the release of chemicals during heart pain. Specia ....The blood vessels and heart contain sensors that report on the state of the circulation to the brain. Blood vessel sensors send information about the level of blood pressure to the brain, and the brain coordinates appropriate changes in the activity of the heart and blood vessels so that blood pressure stays within narrow limits and blood flow to the brain is protected. Heart sensors send information to the brain about pressures in the heart and the release of chemicals during heart pain. Specialized pressure receptors, like the receptors on blood vessels, have recently been reported to exist on the main blood vessels in the heart and, although not extensively studied, likely send information to the brain to participate in blood pressure regulation and to protect the supply of blood to the heart. These heart receptors normally work in concert with, and overshadowed by, the blood vessel receptors. In cardiovascular disease this concerted and complimentary interaction may be lost, resulting in contradictory signals being sent to the brain and inappropriate regulatory responses occurring. To study the functions of these heart receptors we will compare the number and types of nerves going to the heart receptors with the nerves that go to the blood vessel receptors to tell us whether their functions are likely to be similar. We will activate the heart receptors in healthy conscious animals to see what happens to blood pressure, heart rate, breathing patterns and blood flow to different organs. Finally we will use brain mapping techniques to see which brain cells are excited when the heart receptors are excited, and brain cell recording techniques to determine how individual brain cells respond to heart or vessel information. These studies will provide important new information about heart sensors, and help us understand the role these sensors have in heart disease or heart attack. This knowledge will aid the development of effective new ways of treating heart disease.Read moreRead less
Fainting (syncope) is a common disorder leading to blackouts, which can cause injury. Breath-holding is a related problem in younger children also resulting in blackouts. Both of these conditions can run in families but little is known about what causes these events. We will study large families to identify the genes underlying these common phenomena. This will deepen our understanding of patterns of inheritance, improve genetic counseling, and lead to better diagnostic and treatment options.