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Imbalanced K + and Ca 2+ subthreshold interactions contribute to increased hypothalamic presympathetic neuronal excitability in hypertensive rats
Author(s) -
Sonner P. M.,
Lee S.,
Ryu P. D.,
Lee S. Y.,
Stern J. E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.198556
Subject(s) - blood pressure , neuroscience , population , endocrinology , subthreshold conduction , sympathetic nervous system , medicine , membrane potential , potassium , potassium channel , chemistry , biology , physics , transistor , quantum mechanics , voltage , environmental health , organic chemistry
Non‐technical summary Despite the importance of brain‐mediated sympathetic activation in the morbidity and mortality of patients with high blood pressure, the precise cellular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. We show that an imbalanced interaction between two opposing currents mediated by potassium ( I A ) and calcium ( I T ) channels occurs in sympathetic‐related hypothalamic neurons in hypertensive rats. We show that this imbalance contributes to enhanced membrane excitability and firing activity in this neuronal population. Knowledge of how these opposing ion channels interact in normal and disease states increases our understanding of underlying brain mechanisms contributing to the high blood pressure condition.