They peered into the brains of mice, and what they found there could help the lives of millions

High blood pressure poses a serious long-term health risk. In addition to the fact that it can contribute to cardiovascular diseases, it can damage the kidneys, but it also significantly increases the risk of developing a stroke. That is why high blood pressure should definitely be treated, and the latest work by researchers from the University of São Paulo in Brazil and the University of Auckland in New Zealand can contribute to this.

The scientists’ study in mice showed that a certain region of the brain (the lateral parafacial, pFL) can trigger biological changes that increase blood pressure. The pFL is a brain region located in the medulla oblongata that plays a key role in the regulation of breathing, especially active exhalation. This can be coughing, laughing or exhaling during exercise, writes a Science Alert.

According to the researchers, during the study of mice, they discovered that this brain area can also do something else: it can constrict blood vessels. Experts believe that changes in breathing regulation and blood vessel signaling together can cause high blood pressure in some cases. This may also explain why there are so many patients who have not been able to lower their blood pressure despite medication.

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In the study, the researchers used gene editing methods to turn the pFL neurons on and off and then observe the effect. The experts also monitored breathing-related neural activity, sympathetic nervous system activity, and blood pressure.

When the neurons were activated, the data showed that it also triggered other brain regions, ultimately leading to increased blood pressure. When the results were compared with those of individuals with normal blood pressure, they found that the neurons not only aided breathing, but also constricted blood vessels.

Their results are a It was published in the scientific journal Circulation Research.

Although the current study was conducted on animals, the results may help researchers develop effective ways to treat patients with high blood pressure in the future. However, this would also require human studies, not to mention the fact that the effectiveness of therapies aimed at this will also have to be tested.

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