Central Neural Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Regulation, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1991

With the help of recent technological advances in the study of cen­ tral nervous system function, important strides have been made in our knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of high blood pres­ sure. The understanding of neural mechanisms involved in the reg­ ulation of the cardiovascular system is of critical importance to the development of rational approaches to both the treatment and pre­ vention of this disease. It was in this spirit that a satellite symposium of the 13th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hyper­ tension was held in June 1990, in Bethesda, Maryland. The chapters, in this first of two volumes on the same general theme, are based on lectures presented at the symposium and it is hoped that these sum­ maries of recent research findings from prominent laboratories around the world will provide a stimulus for future research. The symposium would not have been possible without generous support from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Merck Frosst Canada, G. D. Searle Co. , Squibb Institute of Medical Research, Smith, Kline & Beecham Co. , Pfizer Co. , E. I. Dupont de Nemours Co. , Merck, Sharp & Dohme Co. , The UpJohn Co. , and Wyeth-Ayerst Co. While this volume was being prepared for publication, one of its contributors, Dr. Michael J. Brody, died suddenly. It is with deep sorrow and sympathy that we mourn the loss of our colleague. Dr.

Section I Ventral Medullary Mechanisms.- 1. Afferent Inputs to Ventrolateral Medulla.- 2. Widespread Autonomic Afferents to the Nucleus Paragigantocellularis of the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla.- 3. Regulation of Autonomic Cardiovascular Function by the Rostral Ventromedial Medulla.- 4. Flexibility of the Map of Brainstem Neurons with Sympathetic Nerve-Related Activity.- 5. Imidazole Receptors and their Endogenous Ligand in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla: Relationship to the Action of Clonidine on Arterial Pressure.- 6. The Role of the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla in the Synchronization of Respiratory and Sympathetic Functions.- Section II Central Neurotransmitter Systems.- 7. Interaction of Angiotensin II with Catecholamines in the Brain.- 8. Actions of Angiotensin II in the Ventrolateral Medulla Oblongata.- 9. Cardiovascular Actions of Angiotensin II in the Ventrolateral Medulla.- 10. Endorphinergic Neurons in the Brainstem: Role in Cardiovascular Regulation.- 11. Endogenous Opioid Peptides, Glucocorticoids, and Shock: Specificity, Site, and Mechanism of Action.- 12. Neuropeptides in Central Baroreceptor Reflex Pathways.- 13. Adenosine in Central Cardiovascular Control.- Section III Control of Sympathetic Tone, Hypertensive Mechanisms.- 14. Spinal Mechanisms in the Sympathetic Control of Cardiac Function.- 15. The Function of Catecholamines in the Control of Sympathetic Preganglionic Neurons.- 16. Contribution of Forebrain Structures to the Development of Neurogenic Hypertension.- 17. Mechanisms of Differential Cardiovascular Responsiveness to 2-Deoxyglucose-Induced Central Glycopenia in Conscious Spontaneously Hypertensive and Wistar Kyoto Rats.- 18. High-Renin Renal Hypertension Depresses the Baroreflex Control of Heart Rate and Sympathetic Activity.- 19. Opioidergic-Dopaminergic Interaction in Hypertension.