Dr. Zahner and Dr. Beaumont Receive R15 Grant from NHLBI

Myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced, preventing it from receiving enough oxygen. The reduced blood flow is usually the result of a partial or complete blockage of coronary arteries.  It is associated with dangerous cardiovascular reflex, the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex, which is characterized by profound activation of the sympathetic nervous system which increases blood pressure and heart rate.

Research in Dr. Zahner’s laboratory focuses on how the brain regulates blood pressure and reflex activity of the sympathetic nervous system.  They have previously described the nerve fibers that innervate the heart and areas of the brain involved in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex.  However, the pathways are complex and more research on the areas of the brain responsible for generating the sympathetic reflex activity in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex is needed. Collaborative research by Dr. Zahner’s and Dr. Beaumont’s laboratory will provide much-needed information on hypothalamic and brain stem regulation, as well as the neurotransmitters, anatomic subnuclei, and activation characteristics of the central nervous system in the control of blood pressure after myocardial ischemia.

The goals of the R15 NIH Research Enhancement Award program are to support meritorious work and, at the same time, expose students to research and strengthen the research environment of the host institutions.  In keeping with the ETSU College of Public Health’s commitment to providing undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in meaningful research, students in the Zahner lab are directly involved in assisting or performing experimental surgery, histology, and data collection that lead to scientific presentations, honors theses, and peer-reviewed publications.