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AT1 Receptors: Their Actions from Hypertension to Cognitive Impairment

Hanxue Wu1, Qi Sun2, Shenglan Yuan1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China.

Cardiovascular Toxicology
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure (hypertension) significantly increases dementia risk. Overactivity in the brain

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Hypertension affects 1.13 billion globally, posing the greatest risk for cerebrovascular dysfunction.
  • High blood pressure in middle-aged adults is linked to increased dementia risk later in life.
  • Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease are primary causes of dementia, often co-occurring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and cognitive impairment.
  • To explore the role of brain Angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) in cognitive decline.
  • To discuss the potential contribution of brain AT1R to cognitive impairment in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic analysis of the literature on RAS, AT1R, and cognitive function.
  • Focus on the central nervous system's role in hypertension-related cognitive impairment.
  • Review of mechanisms linking Angiotensin II to impaired neuro-vascular coupling.

Main Results:

  • Overactivity of the brain RAS, particularly Angiotensin II acting on AT1R, is implicated in hypertension.
  • Brain AT1R activation can lead to vasoconstriction and impaired neuro-vascular coupling, affecting cognition.
  • The review synthesizes evidence on the biological mechanisms connecting RAS and cognitive impairment.

Conclusions:

  • The brain renin-angiotensin system, specifically AT1R, is a key factor in hypertension-associated cognitive decline.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for assessing the impact of hypertension treatments on cognition.
  • Further research into brain AT1R's role in conditions like COVID-19 may reveal new therapeutic targets.

Keywords:
Angiotensin type 1 receptorsCognitive impairmentHypertensionRenin-angiotensin systemThe central nervous system

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