1. Role of brainstem serotonin in arterial blood pressure regulation

We are interested in the role of serotonin acting at discrete brainstem nuclei on the control of arterial blood pressure, both in infancy and adulthood. This includes differences in serotonin function between males and females, and interaction of serotonin with female sex hormones in the brainstem.

Funding

 Current

MU Research Council, University of Missouri

Role of serotonin neurons projecting to the nucleus of the solitary tract on blood pressure regulation

Past

American Heart Association – Scientist Development Grant

Role of serotonin in cardiovascular recovery from severe hypoxia

5R01HL136710-04 

Role of serotonin in cardiorespiratory homeostasis in sleep and during serve hypoxia

Pending

R01HL179313-01

SIDS, failed autoresuscitation, and a novel serotonergic brainstem-cerebellar circuit

  2. Role of orexin in peripheral chemoreflex function

 Our goal is to resolve the neural circuitry through which orexin acts to facilitate the peripheral chemoreflex, both in normal conditions and in response to chronic intermittent hypoxia.              

Funding

Current

R01HL176932-01

A critical forebrain-brainstem circuit contributes to the adaptive and maladaptive cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia

Past

MU Research Council, University of Missouri

Orexin neurons contribute to hypertension following chronic intermittent hypoxia via an excitatory action at the nucleus of the solitary tract