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Forebrain Electroneutral Transporters in Salt-sensitive Hypertension: an MRI Study

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT06094816

PhasePHASE4

Enrollment120

SponsorUniversity of Delaware

Age40 Years – 60 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

Salt-Sensitivity of Blood Pressure

About this study

The overall objective of this project is to identify the key salt-sensing regions of the brain and determine the underlying mechanism of sodium sensing. The investigators will assess how the brain responds to an acute increase of salt in the blood using MRI. This will be done during a 30-minute infusion of a saline solution containing 3% salt. One trial will be conducted with a salt sensing channel blocker and one trial without the salt sensing channel blocker. This will help to assess the role of a specific salt sensing channel in the brain. Salt sensitivity of BP will be assessed using 7-day dietary feeding where participants will be given food to consume for 7-days. Comparisons will be made between salt resistant (no change in blood pressure going from low to high salt diets) and salt sensitive adults (a change in blood pressure going from low to high salt diets). The investigators think the changes in MRI will be greater in salt sensitive compared to salt resistant subjects.

Interventions

Drug: Furosemide (Diuretic) — The diuretic furosemide will be given during a 3% hypertonic saline infusion to examine blockade of the NKCC2.
Other: Hypertonic Saline Infusion — 3% Hypertonic saline infusion to acutely increase sodium and osmolality

Primary outcomes

Bold fMRI (1 hour)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: \> 40 years or \< 60 years * Blood pressure: \> 100/60 mmHg or \< 140/90 mmHg * BMI: \> 18.5 kg/m2 or \< 35 kg/m2 * Serum potassium: \> 3.5 mmol/L or \< 5.5 mmol/L * No history of cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, or neurological disease Exclusion Criteria: * Age: \< 40 years or \> 60 years * Blood pressure: \< 100/60 mmHg or \> 140/90 mmHg * BMI: \< 18.5 kg/m2 or \> 30 kg/m2 * Serum potassium: \< 3.5 mmol/L or \> 5.5 mmol/L * Abnormal ECG * History of - cardiovascular, cancer, metabolic, respiratory, renal disease * Hormone replacement therapy * Current tobacco or nicotine use * Pregnant or nursing mothers * Major brain injury (concussions do not count) * Clinically diagnosed psychiatric or neurological disorder * Clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression * Psychiatric, neurological, anxiety or depression medications * Hypertension medications * Sulfonamide drug allergy * Contra-indications to MRI (implants, metal, etc) * Claustrophobia

Study locations

University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19713 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-10-28.