However, there is evidence that brain hypoxiamay contribute to the development of systemic hypertension by the recruitment of thebrainstem hypoxia-sensitive mechanism, mediated by astrocytes,30 leading to enhanced central sympathetic drive.31 It is possible that reduced cerebrovascular flow and brain hypoxia observedin KIR6.1 deficient animals contribute to the development of hypertensivephenotype in this model. This evidence concerns the gene KCNJ8 and Hypertension.