Genetics of Mineralocorticoid-Dependent Hypertension
Richard J. Auchus, MD, PhD
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Once thought to be rare causes of hypertension, disorders causing overproduction of aldosterone and other mineralocorticoids are now recognized frequently in hypertensive patients, particularly in blacks. However, well-defined classic syndromes do not account for the majority of these cases. The objective of this study is to identify subjects with mineralocorticoid-dependent hypertension, to characterize the hormonal abnormalities in these subjects, and the search for the genetic underpinnings of these disorders.

We are developing liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assays of plasma mineralocorticoids. We plan to measure mineralocorticoids by this method in the DHS cohort and correlate blood pressure with individual and cumulative hormone concentrations. Subsequently, we plan pharmacologic and genetic testing to identify the mechanisms responsible for the hypertension.