Central nervous system neuroplasticity and the sensitization of hypertension

Alan Kim Johnson; Baojian Xue

doi:10.1038/s41581-018-0068-5

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Central nervous system neuroplasticity and the sensitization of hypertension

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Central nervous system neuroplasticity and the sensitization of hypertension

Alan Kim Johnson and Baojian Xue

Nature reviews. Nephrology, Vol.14(12), pp.750-766

12/2018

DOI: 10.1038/s41581-018-0068-5

PMCID: PMC6532772

PMID: 30337707

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Abstract

The causes of essential hypertension remain an enigma. Interactions between genetic and external factors are generally recognized to act as aetiological mechanisms that trigger the pathogenesis of high blood pressure. However, the questions of which genes and factors are involved, and when and where such interactions occur, remain unresolved. Emerging evidence indicates that the hypertensive response to pressor stimuli, like many other physiological and behavioural adaptations, can become sensitized to particular stimuli. Studies in animal models show that, similarly to other response systems controlled by the brain, hypertensive response sensitization (HTRS) is mediated by neuroplasticity. The brain circuitry involved in HTRS controls the sympathetic nervous system. This Review outlines evidence supporting the phenomenon of HTRS and describes the range of physiological and psychosocial stressors that can produce a sensitized hypertensive state. Also discussed are the cellular and molecular changes in the brain neural network controlling sympathetic tone involved in long-term storage of information relating to stressors, which could serve to maintain a sensitized state. Finally, this Review concludes with a discussion of why a sensitized hypertensive response might previously have been beneficial and increased biological fitness under some environmental conditions and why today it has become a health-related liability.

Adaptation, Physiological

Microglia - metabolism

Dietary Fats - adverse effects

Cytokines - metabolism

Humans

Sodium Chloride, Dietary - adverse effects

Stress, Physiological

Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced - metabolism

Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - physiopathology

Sympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology

Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - etiology

Hypertension - physiopathology

Pregnancy

Animals

Renin-Angiotensin System

Neuronal Plasticity

Female

Central Nervous System - physiopathology

Nerve Net - physiopathology

Stress, Psychological - physiopathology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Central nervous system neuroplasticity and the sensitization of hypertension
Creators: Alan Kim Johnson - The François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Center, Iowa City, IA, USA. alan-johnson@uiowa.edu
Baojian Xue - The François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Nature reviews. Nephrology, Vol.14(12), pp.750-766
DOI: 10.1038/s41581-018-0068-5
PMID: 30337707
PMCID: PMC6532772
NLM abbreviation: Nat Rev Nephrol
ISSN: 1759-507X
eISSN: 1759-507X
Publisher: England
Grant note: P01 HL014388 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 MH080241 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 HL057472 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL098207 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL139575 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 12/2018
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Neurology (Pediatrics); Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9984002470402771

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