Genes encoding the epithelial sodium channel subunits and blood pressure [ 2000 - 2002 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Zilla Wong (Principal investigator)

Brief description High blood pressure is a prominent risk factor for heart attack and stroke which kill over 30,000 Australians each year. Blood pressure is determined by the combination of inherited predisposition and lifestyle factors such as diet. Understanding these combinations offers new opportunities for preventing or treating high blood pressure and reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease. As part of an NHMRC-funded project, we have discovered recently that genes controlling the amount of salt excreted by the kidneys appear to be linked with high blood pressure. If confirmed, this observation might provide an explanation of salt on blood pressure in susceptible individuals. Building on our basic observation, we shall extend our studies to place the findings beyond reasonable doubt. We shall investigate the gene sequences to discover what changes might lead to high blood pressure and examine how these affect the kidney and body salt. These studies combine forces of two large international blood pressure research groups. Our observation is the first internationally to define a blood pressure gene in the general community. Our results are potentially relevant to many more people than only those with very high blood pressure.

Funding Amount $AUD 429,330.92

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant