Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Brain Region May Influence Blood Pressure via Breathing
Scientists found a part of the brain called the lateral parafacial (pFL) region that helps control breathing might also affect blood pressure.
When this part of the brain is active, it can make blood vessels tighter, which raises blood pressure.
The researchers did experiments on rats with high blood pressure and found that when they turned off this brain region, the blood pressure went back to normal.
This discovery could help find new ways to treat high blood pressure in people.
The study was published in a science journal called Circulation Research.
The lateral parafacial (pFL) region of the brain controls breathing and may influence blood pressure.
In rats with induced hypertension, the pFL region connects to nerves that tighten blood vessels, raising blood pressure.
Inactivating the pFL region in rats normalized their blood pressure.
Changes in breathing patterns involving strong abdominal muscle contractions can trigger high blood pressure.
Suppressing pFL neurons may have therapeutic potential for treating hypertension.
- Who
- Researchers led by Julian Paton, University of Auckland
- What
- Study on the lateral parafacial (pFL) region's role in blood pressure
- When
- Study published in Circulation Research
- Where
- University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Why
- To understand the connection between breathing and blood pressure
- Brain Region
- Lateral parafacial (pFL) region
- Function
- Controls breathing and may affect blood pressure
- Study Subjects
- Rats with induced hypertension
- Findings
- pFL region connects to nerves that tighten blood vessels, raising blood pressure
- Potential Treatment
- Suppressing pFL neurons may lower blood pressure
- Researcher
- Julian Paton, University of Auckland
- Journal
- Circulation Research