Salt May Have A Bad Effect on The Brain

By Jane Farrell

Researchers have found that consuming large amounts of salt can cause changes in key brain circuits.

The scientists, from McGill University in Montreal, discovered that high salt intake disables a natural safety mechanism and allows blood pressure to rise because of a high, long-term consumption of salt.

A team led by Prof. Charles Bourque of McGill’s Faculty of Medicine, made the discovery. The findings were published in the journal Neuron.

According to a news release from the university, the new research advances the understanding of the link between salt and blood pressure, but more work is needed to zero in on targets that might respond to new medication.

Researchers still need to find out, for example, whether humans are affected in the same way as rats and whether the process can be reversed.