Cardiovascular, Muscle & Metabolism Science Seminar: November 10, 2025
A partnership with Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center.
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"Role of Serotonin in Preventing Neurogenic Hypertension"
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Speaker: Date: Monday, November 10, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Location:
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Register Here
*Zoom option available
About the Speaker
My current research program investigates the control of breathing, cardiovascular functiona and sleep in early postnatal life. We are particularly interested in the role of brain stem serotonin (5-HT) neurons in these processes, because the majority of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) victims have at least one defect within these neurons. We have a number of on-going projects in the lab. First, we are studying the role of brain stem 5-HT in breathing during REM and NREM sleep, and in the ability of infant rats to wake up (arouse) from sleep, spontaneously and in response to hypoxia (decreased O2) and hypercapnia (increased CO2). We are interested in this project because, in addition to 5-HT defects, infants that die of SIDS display apnea, abnormal sleep and likely fail to wake up during an apnea (no breathing) and the ensuing hypoxia and hypercapnia. Second, we are studying how 5-HT participates in the autonomic control of arterial blood pressure and heart rate across sleep states. Last, we are interested in why brainstem serotonin appears to be essential for cardiovascular and respiratory recovery during “autoresuscitation”, a process that allows young mammals to survive conditions of extreme oxygen deprivation. We are interested in these last two projects because there is evidence of autonomic dysfunction in SIDS victims in the days and weeks prior to death, manifesting as abnormal heart rate control, as well as evidence of failed cardiovascular recovery during episodes of severe hypoxia.
We utilize a variety of animal models in which the serotonin system has been compromised, complemented with immunohistochemistry and transcriptomic analysis to help us understand mechanistically how 5-HT operates in early life to maintain cardiorespiratory homeostasis.
About the Seminar Series
The goal of the NextGen Cardiovascular, Muscle & Metabolism Science Seminar is to highlight transdisciplinary precision research taking place in cardiovascular, muscle and metabolism fields; provide opportunities for collaboration among researchers to build their own research efforts; and promote clinical/researcher activity across the University of Missouri System and our partners.
For questions about this event, please reach out to Mackenzie Lynch.
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