Although several environmental factors contributing to blood pressure, such as dietary salt intake, have been identified, genetic components remain illusive due to the difficulty of studying genetic effects in humans.
Animal models are useful in overcoming difficulties associated with genetic analysis in humans.
The animal models that we use will provide candidate chromosomal regions and, ultimately, candidate genes for evaluation in human populations. Thus, our research should ultimately provide understanding of the genetic mechanisms of hypertension in humans. Rat Blood Pressure Genetics Research Group.