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Expert is currently studying the mechanisms which may be responsible for the development of hypertension, particularly as it relates to an increase in sodium (salt) intake. More specifically, he is primarily concerned with potential abnormalities in kidney function, which may give rise to hypertension. He has also studied, in detail, the mechanism by which drugs lower blood pressure, and examined the potential advantages of dopamine receptor agonists as antihypertensive agents. His research work in this area has contributed to the development of a compound that may soon become available for the treatment of hypertensive crisis.

Expert has been studying the mechanisms responsible for causing certain types of acute renal failure, particularly hypovolemic shock, free radical-induced injury, and endotoxin shock. The major aim is to determine whether dopamine and/or selective dopamine receptor agonists will be effective in improving renal blood flow and function in these types of acute renal failure. Some of his studies indicate that these drugs are indeed effective in improving renal function, as well as survival in models of acute renal failure.


Dopamine, although a neurotransmitter in the brain, also serves as an important role in the periphery in controlling kidney functions by regulating renal sodium excretion. Expert's research in this area has identified receptors in the kidney where dopamine acts to increase blood flow and sodium excretion. This research has also led to the postulation that a defect in the ability of dopamine to promote sodium excretion may give rise to hypertension of renal origin. The cellular signaling mechanisms that may be responsible for such a biochemical defect are currently under investigation.


Expert's research in this area is aimed at determining local (biochemical and physical) humoral and nervous factors that influence blood flow to vital organs. Also, studies are conducted to determine how changes in sympathetic and neuroeffector function would modify blood flow, and the mechanism by which drug affects blood flow to selective organs, which may eventually lead to a better understanding of drug action.