Overview
- The peer-reviewed findings were published in Circulation Research and are based on rat models of induced hypertension.
- In hypertensive rats, the lateral parafacial (pFL) region became active, and its inactivation returned blood pressure to normal levels.
- The study identifies connections from the pFL to sympathetic vasomotor neurons that tighten blood vessels and raise blood pressure.
- Signals from carotid bodies were shown to activate the pFL, establishing an accessible peripheral pathway to modulate this brainstem driver.
- The team plans to evaluate a repurposed drug to suppress carotid body activity, with human testing yet to begin, and notes that forced exhalations and sleep apnoea may engage this pathway.