The importance of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) elements in cognition and behaviour and their involvement in aetiology and treatment of depression imply that RAS gene polymorphism(s) associated with RAS overactivity might also be associated with depression.
Four single nucleotide polymorphisms in the central serotonin system and the renin-angiotensin system related genes previously found to be associated with suicide, alcohol dependence or depression were genotyped.
Regarding the multiple interactions in the mechanisms between depression and cardiovascular system disorders, e.g., dysfunctions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and sympathoadrenal axis and the response to stress, the importance of the serotonergic and immune systems, or the impact on the renin-angiotensin system, several candidate genes are being investigated.
These results suggest that blockade of the renin-angiotensin system may increase the abundance of mRNA for SR proteins and, thus, may prevent the depression in SR Ca(2+) transport and improve cardiac function in congestive heart failure due to MI.