Plasma levels of α-CGRP are elevated in hypertensive patients with primary aldosteronism or on a high-salt diet, but are decreased in patients with secondary hypertension who have undergone an adrenalectomy, suggesting that α-CGRP might act as a compensatory mechanism: first the peptide is released to oppose the effects of high blood pressure, but later CGRP synthesis and/or release may become inhibited as the disorder advances (Masuda et al., 1992). The gene discussed is CALCA; the disease is hypertensive disorder.