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 depressiondevelopment.Objective: We explored the effects of Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-convertingenzyme 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 theState–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) tests and were monitored atbaseline and for up to 3 years.Results: Twelve patients were treated with ARBs and 42 with ACE-Is. ARB-treated patients had lower anxietySTAI 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 drugsthroughout the study.Conclusion: This small sample of ARB-treated PD patients displayed lower levels of anxiety. Randomized clinicaltrials are warranted.