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Sympathetic nervous system as a target for aging and obesity-related cardiovascular diseases

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Abstract

Chronic sympathetic nervous system overactivity is a hallmark of aging and obesity and contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and heart failure. The cause of this chronic sympathoexcitation in aging and obesity is multifactorial and centrally mediated. In this mini-review, we have provided an overview of the key and emerging central mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of sympathoexcitation in obesity and healthy aging, specifically focusing on hypertension. A clear understanding of these mechanisms will pave way for targeting the sympathetic nervous system for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in obesity and aging.

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Funding

This work was supported by RAC fund to MS from the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA

    Priya Balasubramanian

  2. Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, 277 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Delton Hall & Madhan Subramanian

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  1. Priya Balasubramanian
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  2. Delton Hall
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Correspondence to Madhan Subramanian.

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Balasubramanian, P., Hall, D. & Subramanian, M. Sympathetic nervous system as a target for aging and obesity-related cardiovascular diseases. GeroScience 41, 13–24 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-018-0048-5

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