[The hypothalamic mechanisms of the development of arterial hypertension in old age]

The electrical activity of hypothalamic nuclei was found to change in accordance with changes in arterial blood pressure in old rabbits with reflexogenic hypertension. Stimulation of the hypothalamus induced an obvious increase in the blood pressure, considerable changes in cardiac activity, coronary insufficiency occurrence and alteration of the myocardium structure. An increase in excitability of the pressor structures of the anterior and posterior hypothalamic areas occurred with ageing. The age-induced changes in the hypothalamus could be either the primary mechanisms of development of hypertension, or they can be involved at later stages of the hypertension pathogenesis.