High blood pressure affects millions of people, yet many patients never learn what drives their condition, especially when medication has little effect.
Researchers in the UK are now studying a diagnostic method designed to pinpoint a hormonal imbalance that often goes unnoticed in routine tests.
The approach centers on a brief PET-CT scan that can map activity inside the adrenal glands.
Scientists at University College London have focused on aldosterone, a hormone involved in regulating the body’s salt balance.
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Excessive production, estimated to occur in roughly a quarter of patients with hypertension, can significantly raise blood pressure, but standard screenings frequently miss it.
How the new test works
The technique combines PET-CT imaging with a specially developed radioactive tracer.
The tracer binds selectively to an enzyme responsible for producing aldosterone.
When a portion of the adrenal gland releases more of the hormone than it should, that area becomes clearly visible on the scan.
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In an initial study involving 17 participants, the research team was able to identify the overactive regions in every case.
According to study lead Prof. Bryan Williams, the clarity of the images marks an important breakthrough.
What it could mean for patients
If the method progresses through clinical trials and receives regulatory approval, it could help clinicians tailor treatments more precisely.
Patients with overproduction from one adrenal gland may be candidates for surgery, while others could benefit from medication that suppresses aldosterone.
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The UCL team has already moved into the next phase of testing, with hopes that the scan could eventually be offered as part of routine assessment in the UK’s National Health Service.
For patients struggling with resistant hypertension, the technology may offer a clearer path to targeted and more effective care.
Sources: Gazetaexpress og University College London.
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