Too much salt doesn’t make the brain’s salt pump work harder — it just turns off the main salt-removing valve (KCC2), causing neurons to get overexcited.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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14

High salt intake increases blood pressure via BDNF-mediated downregulation of KCC2 and impaired baroreflex inhibition of vasopressin neurons.

Cohort Study

Animal

2015 Feb 4

When rats eat a lot of salt, their brain cells that control blood pressure reduce a specific protein called KCC2, making them more active. The study didn’t find any change in a similar protein called NKCC1, so the effect is likely just on KCC2.

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Source Study

High salt intake increases blood pressure via BDNF-mediated downregulation of KCC2 and impaired baroreflex inhibition of vasopressin neurons.

Score: 14

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.12.048

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