title: The role of angiotensin II in cognition and behaviour.
abstract: Polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system are associated with cardiovascular disorders, possibly as a consequence of increased brain angiotensin II activity. Within the brain, angiotensin controls blood pressure, fluid balance and hormone secretion; it also influences behaviour: reduction of central angiotensin function has both antidepressant-like and axiolytic-like actions. Evidence concerning the role of the renin-angiotensin system in learning and memory is contradictory, although more studies support the proposal that angiotensin reduces cognitive function. Studies of renin-angiotensin system genotype and psychological status have suggested an association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme deletion allele and age related cognitive decline, but a greater prevalence of the insertion allele in Alzheimer's disease. The deletion allele has also been associated with depressive illness, as has the M allele of the angiotensinogen gene although other studies have failed to replicate these findings. The role of the brain renin-angiotensin system in human psychopathology remains to be fully explored.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK. p.r.gard@brighton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gard
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000804:Angiotensin II