Office: 210-567-4188
E-mail: cunninghamt@uthscsa.edu
We study the role of the central nervous system in body fluid homeostasis and blood pressure regulation and how neuroplasticity in these systems contributes to chronic disease states such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone release. Specifically we are interested in the integration of hormonal factors such as circulating angiotensin and neural input from baroreceptors and volume receptors and how this interaction might influence vasopressin release, sympathetic outflow, and the ingestion of fluid and salt. To pursue this type of research we employ an integrative approach that includes in vivo electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, neuroanatomical tract tracing, molecular biology, and measuring salt and water metabolism.
Selected Publications
Gottlieb HB, Fleming T, JI LL, and Cunningham JT. (2007) Identification of CNS sites involved in the water diuresis response elicited by central microinjection of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in conscious rats via c-Fos and ICER immunocytochemistry. J Neuroendocrinol (in press).
Ji LL, Gottlieb HB, Penny ML, Fleming T, Toney GM, and Cunningham JT. (2007) Differential effects of water deprivation and rehydration on Fos and FosB/DeltaFosB staining in the rat brainstem. Exp. Neurol., 203:445-56.
Cunningham JT, Herrera-Rosales M, Martinez MA, and Mifflin S. (2007) Identification of active central nervous system sites in renal wrap hypertensive rats. Hypertension, 49:653-8.
Mueller PJ, Sullivan MJ, Grindstaff RR, Cunningham JT, and Hasser EM. (2006) Regulation of plasma vasopressin and renin activity in conscious hindlimb-unloaded rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 291:R46-52.
Mueller PJ, Foley CM, Heesch CM, Cunningham JT, Zheng H, Patel KP, and Hasser EM. (2006) Increased nitric oxide synthase activity and expression in the hypothalamus of hindlimb unloaded rats. Brain Res. 1115(1):65-74.
Gottlieb HB, Ji LL, Jones H, Penny ML, Fleming T, and Cunningham JT. (2006) Differential effects of water and saline intake on water deprivation-induced c-Fos staining in the rat. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 290:R1251-61.
Lohmeier TE, Hildebrandt DA, Warren S, May PJ, and Cunningham, JT. (2005) Recent insights into the interactions between the baroreflex and the kidneys in hypertension. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 288:R828-36.
Ji LL, Fleming T, Penny ML, Toney GM, and Cunningham JT (2005). Effects of water deprivation and rehydration on c-Fos and FosB staining in the rat supraoptic nucleus and the lamina terminalis region. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 288:R311-321.
