Mark M. Knuepfer, PhD

Saint Louis University (SLU)

We study the role of the central nervous system (CNS) in regulating cardiovascular responses to pharmacological and physiological stressors by examining the effects of startle and cocaine administration on hemodynamics and sympathetic activity in conscious rats. We are interested in determining the central neural determinants of predisposition to develop cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension and heart failure. We also study the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease.