An open‐label, non‐randomized, drug‐repurposing study to explore the clinical effects of Angiotensin II Type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists on anxiety and depression in Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Background: The cerebral Renin-Angiotensin System might have a role in anxiety and depression development. Objective: We explored the effects of Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) on anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Methods: Four hundred and twenty-three newly diagnosed drug-naïve PD patients were evaluated using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) tests and were monitored at baseline and for up to 3 years. Results: Twelve patients were treated with ARBs and 42 with ACE-Is. ARB-treated patients had lower anxiety STAI scores than those on ACE-Is or drug-free at baseline (17.2 1.3 vs. 21.3 1.3, or 23.8 0.5, respectively, P = 0.021) and during the follow-up (P < 0.01). Depression scores were unaffected by any of the drugs throughout the study. Conclusion: This small sample of ARB-treated PD patients displayed lower levels of anxiety. Randomized clinical trials are warranted.