INTERNAL MEDICINE RESEARCH

Wanpen Vongpatanasin Lab

Research

The Vongpatanasin lab studies neural control of blood pressure and the influence of nutrition and various hormones on the autonomic control of blood pressure in humans. Our laboratory has performed autonomic studies in both normal healthy subjects and patients with hypertension or autonomic dysfunction.

Clinical Studies

    Studies in mice demonstrated that dietary phosphate (Pi) loading that mimic the level of US adult consumption leads to reduced spontaneous locomotor activity, exercise capacity, and reduced resting metabolic rate when in normal mice by impairing skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and fat oxidation. However, relevance of this findings in humans remains unknown.

    Learn more about this study (clinicaltrials.gov)

    The aim of this study is to determine if lowering blood pressure using FDA approved medication (antihypertensive drugs) alters brain pulsatility and reduces brain amyloid beta protein accumulation in older adults. Amyloid beta protein is high in the brain of older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Hypertension may increase accumulation of amyloid-beta protein in the brain and affect memory and thinking ability in older adults. However, it is inconclusive whether lowering blood pressure reduces brain amyloid-beta protein and improves brain function.

    The investigators hypothesize that treating high blood pressure alters brain pulsatility, which in turn reduces accumulation of amyloid-beta protein in the brain and improves brain structure and function.

    Learn more about this study (clinicaltrials.gov)

    The PCOT study is a multi-site randomized trial of patients 70 years or older with high BP. The main goal of the study Preventing Cognitive Decline by Reducing BP Target Trial (PCOT) is to conduct a large pragmatic clinical trial (PCT) to test the hypothesis that patients who receive care with a combination of clinical decision support (CDS) and team-based care delivered in primary care practices will have better blood pressure control and a lower incidence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia than patients receiving usual medical care. Patients will be recruited from UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health & Hospital System.

    Learn more about this study (clinicaltrials.gov)

    Lab Members

    Dr. Wanpen Vongpatanasin

    Wanpen Vongpatanasin, M.D.

    Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

    Director, UTSW Hypertension Section and Hypertension Fellowship Program

    Attending Physician, internal medicine and cardiology, Parkland Memorial Hospital and Zale Lipshy Pavilion — William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital

    Han Kyul Kim, Ph.D.

    Assistant Instructor

    Dr. Han Kyul Kim

    John Giacona, PA-C

    Ph.D. Candidate

    John Giacona, Ph.D. Candidate

    Brooke Bates

    Research Technician II

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    Brooke Bates, Research Technician II

    Venkatraghavan Sundaram

    Manager, Research Programs

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    Vankatraghavan Sundaram in a suit standing in a hospital lobby

    Ashley Murillo, BSN, RN

    Research Nurse

    Ashley Murillo

    Marco Galvan

    Research Technician II

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    Marco Galvan in a white coat standing in a hospital lobby

    Contact Us

    Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology
    5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
    Suite H4.110
    Dallas, Texas 75309-8586

    (214) 648-3180

    Email Dr. Vongpatanasin