Neurogenic Factors and Blood Pressure Regulation

Abstract

Over the years, clinical and experimental studies have established the pivotal role of neurogenic factors in the genesis, progression, and prognosis of hypertension. It is accepted that sympathetic nervous system dominance over vagal influence is largely responsible for hypertension. Such an imbalance is seen strikingly in resistant hypertension. Lifestyle modifications leading to reduced sympathetic tone and increased vagal tone consistently provide control of hypertension and to some extent reversal or delaying of end-organ damage. However, studies with pharmacological and device-based therapies that aimed to modify autonomic tone to regulate neurogenic factors and to achieve desired blood pressure control have not produced encouraging results. The role of beta-blocker drugs has also been questioned. Catheter-based renal denervation strategy has fallen short of expectation. Understanding thoroughly the mechanisms underlying alterations in the neurogenic factors, the result of abnormal neurogenic milieu at the cellular and molecular levels and methods to identify susceptible individuals either by genetic study or by accurate measures of autonomic tone is expected to help tailor anti-hypertensive therapy and thereby improve outcomes. Keywrods: Anti-natriuresis, Glutamatergic synapse, Vasomotor sympathetic nerve discharge. How to cite this article: Pandurangi UM. Neurogenic Factors and Blood Pressure Regulation. Hypertens J 2016;2(1): 35-38. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None