Previous studies have found decreased numbers of AVP-ir, VIP-ir and NT-ir neurons in individuals with hypertension [9]; however, we only found significant reductions in AVP-ir and VIP-ir neurons, but not NT-ir neurons, in individuals (non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic individuals combined) diagnosed with high blood pressure (ESM Fig. 5), indicating the reductions in AVP-ir and VIP-ir neurons might be related to insulin resistance rather than high blood pressure. Here, VIP is linked to hypertensive disorder.