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.
Which Neurons Maintain Sympathetic Vasomotor Tone?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,918.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a major burden of disease worldwide. High levels of nerve activity that cause the blood vessels to constrict elevating blood pressure are characteristic of hypertension. We do not know which brain cells set and maintain this nerve activity. We will identify these cells, determine how they function and what regulates them. Ultimately we could control these cells treating the cause of hypertension or when clinical need arises.
IDENTIFICATION OF BRAIN NEURONS INVOLVED IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE TO FEAR AND FLIGHT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,247.00
Summary
The circulatory system of the body acts in concert with the respiratory system to distribute oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs and tissues of the body. Control of blood pressure and heart rate is achieved largely through the actions of the central nervous system on effector organs and tissues such as the heart and blood vessels. This control is exerted through the actions of nerves in the body which affect the rate and force of contraction of the heart and the diameter of blood vess ....The circulatory system of the body acts in concert with the respiratory system to distribute oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs and tissues of the body. Control of blood pressure and heart rate is achieved largely through the actions of the central nervous system on effector organs and tissues such as the heart and blood vessels. This control is exerted through the actions of nerves in the body which affect the rate and force of contraction of the heart and the diameter of blood vessels which restrict the flow of blood to the tissues. These nerves, in turn, are under the control of brain cells or neurons which are located in the brainstem. Blood pressure-controlling neurons, acting upon information they receive from pressure sensors in the major blood vessels in the chest cavity, can alter their activity so that blood pressure is maintained within normal limits. Our laboratory has been examining the properties of these blood pressure-controlling neurons by recording their minute electrical discharges and by studying other brain regions which are able to influence them. In this study, we will use newly-developed procedures which will allow us to identify the precise locations of these neurons in the brain, to study which neurotransmitters (chemicals released by neurons which are used to communicate with other neurons) they use, as well as to identify other regions of the brain they connect with and influence. The major significance of this work will be that new brain circuits which transmit information about the status of the cardiovascular system to other areas of the brain will be identified. Our understanding of, and the development of new treatments for, cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and heart failure are critically dependent on advancing our understanding of the nervous system.Read moreRead less
I am a medically trained physiologist studying how the brain controls the delivery of oxygen to the body, the removal of carbon dioxide and the maintenance of normal acid level in the blood. This branch of physiology is well known to anyone who has studied 'ABC' in a first aid programme. My work concerns the coordination of the breathing and blood pressure centres in the brain. It is crucial in the understanding of diseases such as obstructive sleep apnoea and hypertension.
Understanding The Role Of Supracollicular Nuclei In The Generation Of Basal Sympathetic Vasomotor Tone.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,500.00
Summary
Increased activity from the parts of the brain which regulate blood pressure is observed in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and heart failure. In some cases this increased activity might actually cause the high blood pressure. In all cases this increased activity can lead to serious complications including arrhythmias of the heart, enlargement of the heart and blood vessels, and even sudden cardiac death. This project aims to understand in more detail the par ....Increased activity from the parts of the brain which regulate blood pressure is observed in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and heart failure. In some cases this increased activity might actually cause the high blood pressure. In all cases this increased activity can lead to serious complications including arrhythmias of the heart, enlargement of the heart and blood vessels, and even sudden cardiac death. This project aims to understand in more detail the parts of the brain that generate this activity. This information will enable more selective and effective treatments to be developed for people with high blood pressure or heart failure.Read moreRead less
Forebrain Control Of Cardiovascular Function: Integrative And Cellular Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$834,233.00
Summary
Blood pressure is controlled to a large extent by nerves, known as sympathetic nerves, that supply the heart and blood vessels. Measurements in humans have shown that the activity of sympathetic nerves is increased in a number of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and in many cases of high blood pressure. This has the effect of constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate, which places an additional load on the heart which can cause damage to the heart. It is not known what ....Blood pressure is controlled to a large extent by nerves, known as sympathetic nerves, that supply the heart and blood vessels. Measurements in humans have shown that the activity of sympathetic nerves is increased in a number of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and in many cases of high blood pressure. This has the effect of constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate, which places an additional load on the heart which can cause damage to the heart. It is not known what causes this increased sympathetic activity, but one possibility is that it is due to the action of a circulating hormone called angiotensin, which acts on the brain, activating central nerve pathways which ultimately increase sympathetic activity. In this project we aim to test this hypothesis and thus help to unravel the mechanisms involved in the long term control of sympathetic activity and blood pressure.Read moreRead less
G-alpha Proteins And Their Effectors (AC, PLC, Rho And ERK) In Central Cardiovascular Regulation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,716.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke that are huge emotional and economic societal burdens. The brain is essential to the control of blood pressure. Specific sites within the brain are crucial in setting the resting level of blood pressure and controlling blood pressure in response to stimuli such as lying or standing. The activity of these brain sites is altered in conditions such as high blood pressure. We will determine the role specific protei ....High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke that are huge emotional and economic societal burdens. The brain is essential to the control of blood pressure. Specific sites within the brain are crucial in setting the resting level of blood pressure and controlling blood pressure in response to stimuli such as lying or standing. The activity of these brain sites is altered in conditions such as high blood pressure. We will determine the role specific proteins within cells, which are important in cell to cell communication in the brain, have in the control of blood pressure. Cells in the brain communicate using chemical messengers that act at receptors on the cells surface. Three forms of these receptors exist. We are interested in the most abundant form of receptor that has about 860 members. When activated these receptors use a complex cascade of proteins within the cell to dictate that cell's response. We know that some of these receptors in the brain are involved in the regulation of blood pressure and that some of them are altered in conditions such as hypertension. We could target each of the receptors but for many of them we do not know the chemical than activates them. Fortunately each of 860 receptors act primarily via just a few specialised proteins. Initially we will target these proteins to determine the impact these receptors have in altering the resting levels of blood pressure, their role in response to stimuli that affect blood pressure and the role they play in hypertension. Three approaches will be used: altering function of the proteins, identifying the types of proteins present and identifying the cells involved, in brains sites important in regulation of the heart and blood vessels. This novel approach to understanding how the brain controls blood pressure will undoubtedly identify targets for novel blood pressure lowering therapies and targets for genetically determined causes of hypertension.Read moreRead less