Roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the regulation of blood pressure

脑源性神经营养因子（Brain-derived neurotrophic factor，BDNF）是一种特殊的神经营养因子，它不仅作为一种经典的神经营养因子促进神经元的存活和分化，而且作为一种神经调质调节神经活动。最近，我们发现将外源性BDNF注射到脑干中会引发血压显著升高。目前的建议是测试的假设，BDNF是一种生理神经调节血压。本研究的目的是分析脑干和脊髓中BDNF在神经活动和血压调节中的生理作用。该项目的成功执行将大大提高我们对血压如何由BDNF和神经活动控制的理解。这项研究的知识将为设计控制高血压的新药奠定基础。

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an extraordinary neurotrophin which acts not only as a classical neurotrophic factor to promote neuronal survival and differentiation but also as a neuromodulator to modulate nerve activity. Recently, we found that injection of exogenous BDNF into brain stem triggers a significant increase in blood pressure. The present proposal is to test the hypothesis that BDNF is a physiological neuromodulator regulating blood pressure. The aim of this study is to analyse physiological roles of BDNF in the brains stem and spinal cord in the regulation of nerve activity and blood pressure. The successful execution of the project will significantly enhance our understanding of how blood pressure is controlled by BDNF and nerve activity. The knowledge from this study will form basis for designing new drugs to control high blood pressure.