Understanding how brain signals increase blood pressure sensitivity to stress
Hypothalamic BDNF-mTOR signaling promotes hypertension by increasing cardiovascular sensitivity to stress
This project aims to discover how certain brain signals make blood pressure more sensitive to stress, which could lead to new ways to treat high blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11119010 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that ongoing stress, like from work or social isolation, can raise your risk for high blood pressure and heart problems. While our bodies naturally react to stress by raising blood pressure, too much of this can damage your heart and blood vessels over time. This research looks into specific brain mechanisms that control how much your blood pressure goes up when you're stressed. By understanding these brain signals, we hope to find new targets for medications that can help manage or prevent high blood pressure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals at risk for or currently living with stress-induced hypertension.
Not a fit: Patients whose hypertension is not linked to stress or specific brain signaling pathways explored in this project may not directly benefit from these particular findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications or treatments that reduce how much stress affects blood pressure, potentially preventing or better managing hypertension.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific brain signaling cascade being explored is novel, other research has shown the brain's significant role in regulating blood pressure and stress responses.
Where this research is happening
Burlington, United States
- University of Vermont & St Agric College — Burlington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erdos, Benedek — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Erdos, Benedek
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.