Current aspects of the interactions between dementia, the brain renin-angiotensin system and oxidative stress

Abstract

There is increased interest in the interactions between vascular disorders and Alzheimer's disease (AD). While initially these interactions were explained by the fact that these are both very common disorders, particularly later in life, recently, the possibility that these deficiencies might actually coexist is increasingly being questioned. This review attempts to present modern aspects and current reports regarding the interactions between AD, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and hypertension, while also describing the relevance of antihypertensive drug use acting via the RAS in the treatment and prevention of AD, as well as the importance of oxidative stress, the alteration of the balance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants, in the interaction between AD and the RAS.