Molecular characterisation of atrial volume receptors in the atria of the rat heart
High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease. The brain helps to regulate blood pressure, and it does so in response to nerve signals coming from the heart that are controlled by blood volume. Dr Susan Pyner from the University of Durham has been awarded a 3-year grant to research how the heart detects blood volume changes and how that information is communicated to the brain. Specific objectives include locating the position and density of volume receptors in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart, describing what they look like, and finding out how they work. So far it is known that inappropriate signals from the brain to regulate blood supply may be a cause of high blood pressure. Understanding how the heart’s volume receptors work could lead to the development of new drugs to target the receptors.
Project details
| Grant amount | £193,688 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 January 2015 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/14/53/30900 |
| Status | Complete |
