Effects of angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists on Parkinson's disease progression : an exploratory study in the PPMI database

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction. We explored the potential clinical effects of angiotensin-II AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in patients from the Parkinson’s Progress Marker Initiative (PPMI) study database. Methods. We included 423 newly diagnosed PD patients, free from antiparkinsonian treatment, from the PPMI. We compared the proportion of patients starting on L-DOPA during the first year of follow-up, and the changes in MDS-UPDRS total score and sub-scores during the first five follow-up years for patients exposed or not to ARBs or ACEIs. Results. Treatment with ARBs did not affect the proportion of patients on L-DOPA during the first year (adjusted OR, 95% CI= 0.26, 0.03-2.18, N.S.) while reduced MDS-UPDRS total score (0.85, 0.76-0.95, p<0.01). Patients treated with ACEIs experienced no changes in either measure. Conclusions. These results show potential signals for a beneficial effect with ARBs. Further clinical trials are warranted.