The renin-angiotensin system: a possible new target for depression

Depression remains a debilitating condition with an uncertain aetiology. Recently, attention has been given to the renin-angiotensin system. In the central nervous system, angiotensin II may be important in multiple pathways related to neurodevelopment and regulation of the stress response. Studies...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Vian, João, Pereira, Círia, Chavarría Romero, Víctor, Köhler, Cristiano, Stubbs, Brendon, Quevedo, João, Kim, Sung-Wan, Carvalho, André F., Berk, Michael, Fernandes, Brisa S.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Repositorio:Repositorio Digital de la UPF
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.upf.edu:10230/34385
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/34385
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12881-017-0485-5
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Depressió psíquica
Angiotensines
ATR1
ATR2
Angiotensin
Angiotensin receptor blockers
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Depression
Inflammation
Psychiatry
Renin–angiotensin system
Descripción
Sumario:Depression remains a debilitating condition with an uncertain aetiology. Recently, attention has been given to the renin-angiotensin system. In the central nervous system, angiotensin II may be important in multiple pathways related to neurodevelopment and regulation of the stress response. Studies of drugs targeting the renin-angiotensin system have yielded promising results. Here, we review the potential beneficial effects of angiotensin blockers in depression and their mechanisms of action. Drugs blocking the angiotensin system have efficacy in several animal models of depression. While no randomised clinical trials were found, case reports and observational studies showed that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers had positive effects on depression, whereas other antihypertensive agents did not. Drugs targeting the renin-angiotensin system act on inflammatory pathways implicated in depression. Both preclinical and clinical data suggest that these drugs possess antidepressant properties. In light of these results, angiotensin system-blocking agents offer new horizons in mood disorder treatment.