Bristol University given £2.7m grant for blood pressure research

Scientists at Bristol University have been awarded a £2.7m grant to research new blood pressure treatments.

The treatments target the nervous system to explore how genes in the brain trigger high blood pressure.

The condition is commonly treated by drugs which target the heart and kidneys, but these can prove ineffective and cause side effects.

The grant has been partly funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Brazil's State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have also contributed to the funding, and academics from Brazil and the Bristol Heart Institute are involved in the research.

Bristol University professor Julian Paton said: "Given the high numbers of patients suffering from high blood pressure, and the poor ability to control it with conventional drug therapy that targets the kidney, it is imperative that we now focus our attention to the nervous system."

Brain banks

The team are using tissue from brain banks to explore how the genes in the brain cause high blood pressure, and study how sleep apnoea, ageing and exercise affect the activity of these genes.

Using a technique called microneurography, the scientists can also record nerve activity in research patients via electrical stimulation. This allows them to assess the level of brain activity that controls blood pressure.

Professor Paton explained: "What we're trying to do is calm down the nerve activity that's targeting the blood vessels, which seems to be extremely excitable in patients with high blood pressure."

The BHF's Jeremy Pearson said he was "very pleased" to support the team at Bristol University.

He said: "Because high blood pressure is poorly understood and treatments are not always effective, research like this to shed new light on its causes could lead to real patient benefit in future."