Brain Region Linked to High Blood Pressure: New Treatment Target Identified
A newly identified region of the human brainstem is playing a key role in regulating blood pressure, according to research published this week in the journal Circulation Research. The discovery, made by researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, could lead to new, more targeted treatments for hypertension, particularly for individuals with sleep apnea.
The area, called the lateral parafacial region (LPFR), is located in the brainstem – a primitive part of the brain responsible for automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, and heart rate. Professor Julian Paton, director of Manaaki Manawa, Centre for Heart Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, explained that the LPFR is activated during forceful exhalations. “The lateral parafacial region is recruited into action causing us to exhale during a laugh, exercise or coughing,” he said. “These exhalations are what we call ‘forced’ and driven by our powerful abdominal muscles.”
The research team found a direct link between the LPFR and nerves that constrict blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure. “We’ve unearthed a new region of the brain that is causing high blood pressure. Yes, the brain is to blame for hypertension!” Paton stated. In experiments, inactivating the LPFR resulted in a normalization of blood pressure levels, suggesting a causal relationship.
The findings suggest that specific breathing patterns, particularly those involving significant abdominal muscle engagement, may contribute to elevated blood pressure. Researchers believe identifying these breathing patterns in hypertensive patients could help pinpoint the underlying cause and guide treatment strategies. This connection between breathing and blood pressure has also been observed in a recent rat study, as reported by Scimex.
Developing drugs that specifically target the brain presents a challenge, as most medications affect the entire organ rather than a localized region. However, the team discovered that the LPFR is activated by signals originating outside the brain, specifically from the carotid bodies. These small clusters of cells, located in the neck near the carotid artery, monitor oxygen levels in the blood.
Because the carotid bodies are more easily targeted with medication, researchers are exploring this as a potential therapeutic pathway. “Our goal is to target the carotid bodies, and we are importing a new drug that is being repurposed by us to quench carotid body activity and inactivate ‘remotely’ the lateral parafacial region safely, i.e., without needing to use a drug that penetrates the brain,” Paton explained. This approach could be particularly beneficial for individuals with sleep apnea, a condition where carotid body activity increases during periods of interrupted breathing.
Scientists are hopeful that this discovery will lead to a new generation of treatments for hypertension, offering a more precise and effective approach to managing the condition. The research builds on recent findings highlighting the brain’s surprising role in blood pressure regulation, as reported by ScienceDaily and SciTechDaily.