Volume 2, Number 1, March 2001

AT₁-receptors in the central nervous system
Andrew M Allen, Michelle E Giles, JooHyung Lee, Brian J Oldfield, Frederick AO Mendelsohn, Michael J McKinley

Angiotensin exerts a wide range of actions in the brain, following either delivery from the circulation to reach AT₁-receptors in the circumventricular organs, or following generation within the brain to access AT₁-receptors at sites within the blood-brain-barrier. Many of these actions concern central pressor, autonomic and renal effects which, in concert with neuroendocrine and behavioural actions, help to maintain BP and body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. In addition, Ang II has actions in other areas including thermoregulation, modulation of catecholaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission and effects on cognition. By contrast to these AT₁-receptor-mediated effects, the role of Ang II acting at brain AT₂-receptors is yet to be determined. Much remains to be learned about the role of Ang II in the brain. For example, our understanding of the details of the biochemical and cellular pathways of the formation of brain Ang II remains unclear. The action of Ang II at the majority of CNS sites containing AT₁-receptors is not known. Thus, we have only just begun to explore the central roles of this important physiological regulator.

JRAAS 2001;2:95-101.

View full PDF article (open in new window)
Email this article