Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a prevalent cardiovascular condition and a major risk factor for serious health events like stroke and heart attack. Emerging research suggests that, in certain cases, the development of hypertension may be linked to overactivity in specific brain circuits.
Researchers at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) School of Medicine investigated how hypertension develops using an experimental model of primary hypertension in rodents. Their work sheds light on the complex interplay between the brain and blood pressure regulation.
The study identified increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system, a component of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the “fight or flight” response and regulation of vital functions. Alongside this, researchers observed heightened activity within neuroendocrine cells, which facilitate communication between the nervous and endocrine systems – the latter responsible for hormone secretion.
Specifically, the research team found that more neurons in the hypothalamus, a brain region controlling neuroendocrine function and the sympathetic nervous system, were activated in hypertensive subjects. The precise mechanism by which these cells influence blood pressure remains under investigation.
To assess whether this neuronal activity could be modulated, the team reduced the activity of these neuroendocrine cells in hypertensive rats. This intervention resulted in a decrease in arterial blood pressure. Crucially, the researchers also identified a specific receptor involved in signaling between these neuroendocrine cells and the neurons controlling the sympathetic nervous system.
According to the study authors, developing a compound that could block this receptor could represent a novel therapeutic approach for primary hypertension – hypertension without a clearly identifiable cause. This is particularly significant as not all cases of high blood pressure respond adequately to current lifestyle modifications, and medications.
The Mizzou team is now focused on identifying such a compound and testing its efficacy in other experimental models of hypertension. Researchers emphasize that if these findings are confirmed, this approach could have relevance for the numerous patients affected by hypertension.
This research builds upon a growing understanding of the brain’s role in blood pressure regulation. A article in Medical Xpress highlights that hypertension is “both a driver and a consequence of brain dysfunction,” noting the brain’s function as a control center for blood pressure and its vulnerability to blood pressure-related injury.
Recent work, as detailed in Nature, has clarified how the brain’s renin-angiotensin system, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, the melanocortin system, and the gut-brain axis influence autonomic output. This suggests multiple potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
renewed attention is being given to centrally acting sympatholytics and imidazoline receptor agonists, which have demonstrated antihypertensive efficacy in recent trials. These medications work by modulating sympathetic activity within the central nervous system.
A separate study, published in by researchers at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine, specifically identified the brain receptor B1R as interacting directly with the AT1R receptor in a way that contributes to hypertension. This research, published in the American Heart Association’s Circulation Research, suggests that targeting the B1R receptor could attenuate hypertension through AT1R-dependent mechanisms. The study focused on cases of hypertension resistant to traditional drug and lifestyle interventions.
The East Carolina University research team found that blocking the B1R receptor could offer a new therapeutic strategy. Dr. Srinivas Sriramula, who led the investigation, stated that the findings “uncovered a new pathway that People can potentially target to better control this widespread and dangerous condition.”
New guidelines, as reported by Google News, emphasize prevention and early treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These guidelines underscore the importance of proactive management of risk factors, including hypertension.
While these findings are promising, it’s important to remember that research is ongoing. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and translate them into effective treatments for patients. The complex relationship between the brain and blood pressure regulation continues to be an active area of investigation, offering hope for improved management of this common and potentially serious condition.
