FINDING GENES THAT CAUSE HUMAN HYPERTENSION

Genetic factors in essential hypertension: Studies of the epidemiology of blood pressure indicate that genetic-factors are part of the pathogenesis of human essential hypertension, raising the possibility of identifying these genes. This may provide unique opportunities to elucidate the pathophysiology of hypertension, and may also have diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Obstacles to gene identification: The apparent multifactorial determination of blood pressure represents the greatest obstacle to the identification of the relevant genes and mutations. In this setting, the best strategy for identifying these genes is uncertain. Approaches to identification: Various approaches to the identification of mutations contributing to the pathogenesis of human hypertension and their relative merits are outlined here, and recent applications are discussed.