) and blood pressure (BP). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blocker prevents the hypertension. To assess the role of aldosterone locally produced in the brain, we evaluated the effects of chronic central blockade with the aldosterone synthase inhibitor FAD286 and the MR blocker spironolactone on changes in aldosterone and corticosterone content in the hypothalamus and the increase in CSF [Na ϩ ] and hypertension induced by high salt intake in Dahl S rats. After 4 wk of high salt intake, plasma aldosterone and corticosterone were not changed, but hypothalamic aldosterone increased by ϳ35% and corticosterone tended to increase in Dahl S rats, whereas both steroids decreased by ϳ65% in Dahl salt-resistant rats. In Dahl S rats fed the high-salt diet, ICV infusion of FAD286 or spironolactone did not affect the increase in CSF [Na ϩ ]. ICV infusion of FAD286 prevented the increase in hypothalamic aldosterone and 30 mmHg of the 50-mmHg BP increase induced by high salt intake. ICV infusion of spironolactone fully prevented the salt-induced hypertension. These results suggest that, in Dahl S rats, high salt intake increases aldosterone synthesis in the hypothalamus and aldosterone acts as the main MR agonist activating central pathways contributing to salt-induced hypertension.brain; corticosterone; high-salt diet IN DAHL SALT-SENSITIVE (S) rats, high salt intake increases cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Na ϩ concentration ([Na ϩ ]) and causes sympathetic hyperactivity and hypertension (19). Saltinduced sympathetic hyperactivity and hypertension can be prevented by central blockade of steroid biosynthesis by the steroid synthase 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) inhibitor trilostane (14) or central blockade of mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) (13).The agonist binding to the MR in the central nervous system (CNS) has not been defined, nor has its origin, i.e., whether it is derived from the circulation or locally produced, been determined. Inasmuch as central infusion of trilostane has antihypertensive effects (14), it appears that local production of a steroid in the CNS plays a major role. However, trilostane blocks the synthesis not only of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone but also of the glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (14, 24). Aldosterone and corticosterone can be synthesized in the brain (11,12,24). Aldosterone and corticosterone bind MR with equal affinity (3), but the presence of the corticosterone-inactivating enzyme 11-HSD-2 enhances aldosterone selectivity of the MR in brain regions where it is expressed, such as the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (34).There is no evidence that, in Dahl S rats, high salt intake actually increases aldosterone or corticosterone production and release in brain regions implicated in sympathetic regulation or, alternatively, causes changes in MR or 11-HSD-2 expression. FAD286 is a specific aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) blocker that appears to have no effects on corticosterone synthesis (25). Oral administration...