Aldosterone and mineralocorticoid receptors: A personal reflection

Since the isolation and characterization of aldosterone in 1953, subsequent developments in the field can be neatly considered over three time spans, each of two decades. In the first aldosterone itself was the primary focus; from 1973, for two decades the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) was the front runner; since 1993 the focus has been on both, with aldosterone being discovered by cardiologists, and distinguished within their panoply of neurohumoral factors.

► Physiologic roles for aldosterone in the CNS and cardiovascular system remain unclear.
► (Patho) physiologic roles for cortisol in mineralocorticoid receptors await exploration.
► Over 99% of subjects with primary aldosteronism remain undiagnosed and thus at risk.