Although the majority of studies indicate a neuroprotective action for the inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme or blockade of AT1 receptor, recent studies point to the participation of other angiotensin peptides in the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative diseases.
This new and original 'receptor-like' activity for brain membrane-bound ACE is quite significant taking into account the role of dopamine in the brain, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases.
Previous research studies have related the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene to cognitive function in various neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders, but not yet investigated its genetic association with specific cognitive domains.
ACE gene, known to have insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, has been widely investigated in its relation with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and longevity.