Brain renin-angiotensin system: A novel therapeutic target for psychostimulant and alcohol related disorders?

PAZ, M.C.; MARCHESE, N.A.; BREGONZIO, C.; BAIARDI, G.

Psychiatry and Neuroscience Update

Springer International

Año: 2015; p. 79 - 88

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is involved not only in theregulation of blood pressure and fluid homeostasis, but also in themodulation of multiple additional functions in the brain. In thissense, it was found to be involved in many neuroadaptive responsesinduced by drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, as wellas others.It is known that the dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleusaccumbens and caudate-putamen plays a critical role in therewarding effects of psychostimulant drugs and alcohol. The mainand more studied actions of RAS are mediated by the neuropeptideAngiotensin II (Ang II) that belongs to the group of peptides knownto stimulate dopamine release.There is growing evidence showing the key role of RAS in thedevelopment of neuroadaptive changes related to behavioralsensitization induced by natural reinforcers and drugs known to beabused. Recently, we found evidence involving the AT1 receptorsin the neuroadaptive changes induced by amphetamine. Moreover,others found evidence that Ang II AT1 receptors are strongly involvedin ethanol intake in rodents.Our goal is to present and discuss the evidence supporting animportant role of brain RAS in neuroadaptive responses induced bytwo of the most abused drugs: amphetamine and alcohol, proposingthis system as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment ofdisorders related to these drugs of choice for abuse.