Cardiovascular and Renal Neurophysiology
Research Summary
Dr. Banek's research investigates the role of peripheral neural control of cardiovascular and renal (i.e. heart and kidney) health and disease. Our current research projects are focused on studying the role of peripheral sensory nerves in the development and maintenance of (a) hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure) and (b) polycystic kidney disease. Sensory nerves in the kidney also contribute to both the development and maintenance of several models of experimental cardiovascular and renal disease through a gradual, driven by a pathological increase in renal afferent nerve activity. It is unclear what is driving this activation, as well as the physiological consequences from this aberrant nerve activation. We employ a series of chronic telemetry-based approaches as well as acute electrophysiological preparations to evaluate the changes in nerve activity in parallel to the corresponding cardiovascular and renal phenotype. Finally, we take a molecular approach to study the particular proteins and non-peptide signals that may be the primary drivers of sensory nerve activation.