Mismatch between peripheral and central demands in salt-sensitive hypertensive Dahl rats

► Salt-sensitive hypertension is believed to have high sympathetic activity, but not really. ► Dahl model rats show up-regulated nNOS neuron activity which is one of central inhibitors. ► Central nNOS system is enhanced by not salt, not gene, but hypertension per se. ► Based on biological mission of arterial pressure, we provide an idea why hypertension occurs.