Jacqueline Limberg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Missouri
“Sex-related differences in autonomic support of blood pressure: Implications in extreme environments”.
Hypoxia (i.e., low oxygen) is a powerful physiological and pathophysiological stress that increases activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic activation constricts blood vessels, limiting peripheral blood flow and preventing a fall in blood pressure (BP). Excessive vasoconstriction during hypoxia, on the other hand, will impair blood flow and increase BP. Chronic exposure to hypoxia, like that observed in sleep apnea, is an identifiable risk factor in the development of hypertension. Notably, the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular mortality in patients with sleep apnea differs by sex. Unfortunately, only ~30% of all study cohorts examining the sympathetic nervous system response to hypoxia are female and even less compare results by sex. Our long-term goal is to uncover mechanisms contributing to sex disparities in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. In this talk, I will introduce recent data from our lab exploring mechanisms contributing to the neurovascular response to hypoxia in females and how such factors may be altered in obesity.
Friday, August 25, 2023, 11:00AM-12:00PM, LIB-110
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas