Hypothalamic regulation of cardiovascular function in hypertension and stress

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/402553

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Blood pressure is controlled to a large extent by nerves, known as sympathetic nerves, that supply the heart and blood vessels. The activity of sympathetic nerves is commonly increased in people with high blood pressure, particularly younger patients. This has the effect of constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate, which places an additional load on the heart, and increasing the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Sympathetic nerves are also activated strongly in response to stress. In some people stress can trigger an extreme reaction, called a panic disorder, characterised by intense sympathetic activation, which also increases the risk of heart attacks. A region in the brain called the hypothalamus plays a key role in generating these increases in sympathetic nerve activity. This project aims first to identify the precise region or regions in the hypothalamus that are responsible for causing increased sympathetic activity in high blood pressure, and also in response to acute stress. There is also evidence from studies in humans that drugs which act on a particular type of receptor in the brain (called a serotonin receptor) can strongly inhibit the normal response to stress. We also aim to determine exactly where and how such drugs work. These studies may lead to much more effective treatments for high blood pressure and stress-related disorders.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $570,880.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Cardiology (incl. Cardiovascular Diseases)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

angiotensin receptors | hypertension | hypothalamus | neurogenic hypertension | panic disorder | salt-sensitive hypertension | serotonin type 1A receptors | sympathetic nerve activity

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