Role of Afferent Nerves in Cardiovascular Disease

Catalog description

Studies will be undertaken to describe the effects of selective renal deafferentation on the development of cardiovascular disease. Renal denervation in humans ameliorates hypertension, heart failure and renal failure by unknown mechanisms. We will examine whether renal afferent nerves are responsible for these positive results in rat models. We will study experimental models of hypertension and heart failure and we will use electrophysiological techniques to identify how renal afferent nerves play a role in elevating sympathetic activity. Students will assist in performing experiments, analyze data and prepare a summary of the findings.