Forebrain control of cardiovascular function: integrative and cellular mechanisms

Funded Activity 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 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.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2005

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $834,233.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical infection agents (incl. prions)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

angiotensin II | blood pressure regulation | heart failure | hypothalamus | obesity-related hypertension | renovascular hypertension | sympathetic vasomotor activity | ventrolateral medulla

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