Human Research Coordination

The central nervous system plays an important role in regulating salt intake and thirst, which assist in controlling blood pressure (BP) and body fluid balance. However, we know very little about how the human brain ‘senses’ salt.

The purpose of the study is to determine how salt is sensed in the brain using MRI in middle-aged adults and if the change in brain MRI signal is associated with blood pressure changes during low and high salt diets. This study has important implications for understanding the mechanisms of salt sensitive hypertension, which is a major public health problem.

• You are between the ages of 40-60 years old
• You have a body mass index (ratio of height and weight) score between 18.5 and 35 kg/m2.

If you agree to take part in this study, you will first have several tests done to make sure that you qualify for the study:
• You have a systolic blood pressure between 100 – 139 or a diastolic blood pressure between 60 and 89 mmHg,
• You do not have an allergy to sulfa drugs,
• You do not have low potassium levels in the blood (<3.5mmol/L)
• You do not have known cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, cancer, kidney disease, and/or other chronic diseases.
• You must not have donated blood in the past 8 weeks, and will be asked to not donate blood during the study or for 8 weeks following
completion of the study.
• You must also not currently be a nicotine consumer.
• You are not pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
• You do not have a history of brain injury or have been diagnosed with a major psychiatric or neurological disorder (e.g., dementia, schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease), anxiety or depression
• You must be willing and able to have an MRI scan.

Please review an overview of the study in the How to Apply Link provided which includes an interest form to complete for initial eligibility. You may then schedule a phone screening with the study coordinator.