Molecular control of blood pressure

Scientists at the Department of Dentistry, Oregon University of Science and Health, have discovered that nerve cells that control heart rate and blood pressure synthesizing a known molecule are important for the development of the nervous system. sutra.

Findings may play an important role in preventing sudden infant death (SIDS) and high blood pressure. According to the National Institutes of Health, SIDS is the leading cause of death in children from 1 month to 1 year old. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States have high blood pressure.

The new findings are published in the journal Neurochemistry (vol. 108, pp. 450-464) in January and appear online from December 1, 2008.

Dr., Dr. Agnieszka Balkowiec, professor of biological sciences at OHSU Faculty, and professor of physiology and pharmacology of OHSU Medical School, said: 'Our findings provide insight. new about how nerve supply to the heart and blood vessels is established during development. Someday, we hope to better understand cardiovascular and cardiovascular development disorders such as SIDS. '

Changes in blood pressure are signaled to the brain by nerve cells, called baroreceptors.The OHSU study showed that baroreceptors create molecules called Brain-derived Growth Factors (BDNF), belonging to the family of neuronal growth factors that play an important role in the development and shaping of cells. other neurons. (Studies show that abnormal growth in nerve pathways that control the heart and blood vessels and respiratory system can be the cause of SIDS).

High Blood Pressure. (Photo: peninsulacardiology.com.au)

Balkowiec and his team found that the stimulation of baroreceptors, which occurs when blood pressure rises, leads to BDNF formation. The study also found that BDNF is present at the heart of baroreceptors in the brain stem.

Balkowiec said: 'In fact, BDNF is the five most important roles in the central part of baroreceptors, where they bind to a second neuron in the blood pressure control pathway. BDNF has previously been shown to play an important role in creating neural connections in other parts of the nervous system, but this is the first time it is considered a factor in blood pressure control. '.

The study, in collaboration with Dr. Virginia Brooks, a professor of physiology and medicine at OHSU Medical School, showed that the density of BDNF in the heart and blood nerve cells increased rapidly when blood pressure increase.This shows the direct role of BDNF in controlling blood pressure.

Other authors include neuroscience graduate student Jessica Martin, BS, and two OHSU researchers, Victoria Jenkins, BA, and Hui-ya Hsieh, BS

The study was funded by the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.