Lisinopril and anxiety
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Lisinopril and Anxiety: Effects in Hypertensive Patients and Animal Models
Lisinopril, Hypertension, and Anxiety in Elderly Patients
Several studies have examined the psychological effects of lisinopril, particularly in elderly patients with hypertension and metabolic syndrome. When lisinopril is used as part of a fixed-dose combination with amlodipine and rosuvastatin, both morning and evening dosing regimens lead to reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, evening dosing (chronotherapy) appears to be more effective in reducing both situational and trait anxiety, as well as improving cognitive function, compared to traditional morning dosing Agarkov2021Agarkov2021Agarkov2021+1 MORE. Across these studies, patients receiving evening doses showed greater improvements in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and larger decreases in anxiety scores, suggesting that the timing of lisinopril administration may enhance its psychological benefits.
Lisinopril and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Animal Models
Research using hypertensive Dahl Salt-Sensitive (DSS) rats provides further evidence for the anxiolytic effects of lisinopril. In these studies, lisinopril treatment significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and was associated with decreased anxiety-like behavior, as measured by increased exploration of the center area in open field tests. This behavioral change occurred without affecting overall locomotor activity, indicating a specific reduction in anxiety rather than a general increase in activity Fenner2019Mastromarino2019Fenner2019+2 MORE. Additionally, reductions in blood pressure and arterial stiffness were correlated with reduced anxiety-like behavior, supporting the link between cardiovascular health and psychological well-being.
Mechanisms Linking Lisinopril, Blood Pressure, and Anxiety
The anxiolytic effects observed with lisinopril treatment may be partly due to its ability to lower blood pressure and reduce arterial stiffness, which are both associated with improved cognitive and psychological outcomes Fenner2019Fenner2019Fedorova2019. In animal models, lisinopril also reduced levels of marinobufagenin, a pro-hypertensive factor linked to anxiety, further supporting a biological connection between blood pressure regulation and anxiety reduction .
Conclusion
Current research suggests that lisinopril, especially when used in combination therapy and administered in the evening, can help reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function in elderly hypertensive patients. Animal studies reinforce these findings, showing that lisinopril lowers anxiety-like behavior alongside blood pressure. These results highlight the potential psychological benefits of lisinopril in managing hypertension, with chronotherapy offering additional advantages for anxiety reduction.
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