Angiotensin-responsive brain cells that link social stress to high blood pressure
Angiotensin-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract mediate social stress induced hypertension
['FUNDING_R01'] · GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11237175
This work looks at how specific brain cells that respond to angiotensin may cause stress-related high blood pressure, aiming to point to new ways to help people with uncontrolled hypertension.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11237175 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view as a patient, the team is trying to understand how social stress can make blood pressure go up by studying neurons in a brain area called the nucleus of the solitary tract. They use genetically modified mice and modern tools that let them turn neurons on or off and trace connections from the hypothalamus to these angiotensin-sensitive cells. They measure blood pressure in animals exposed to chronic social stress and test what happens when the angiotensin receptor signaling is changed. The goal is to map the circuit so scientists can think about new targets to lower stress-driven high blood pressure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with hypertension, especially those whose blood pressure worsens during chronic social stress or who have uncontrolled hypertension despite treatment, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose high blood pressure is clearly caused by non-neural factors (for example primary kidney disease) or who are not interested in research that begins in animal models may not see a direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new brain targets or pathways that lead to treatments for stress-related or hard-to-control hypertension.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies, including work from this group, have shown that these neurons and angiotensin receptors affect blood pressure, but translating these findings into human treatments remains at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DE KLOET, ANNETTE DIANE — GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: DE KLOET, ANNETTE DIANE
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.