Vasopressinergic control of stress-related behavior: studies in Brattleboro rats

Abstract

Vasopressin, a nonapeptide, signaling both as hormone in the blood and neuromodulator/neurotransmitter in the brain is considered to be causally involved in the pathological changes underlying anxiety and depression. In the present review we summarize experimental data obtained with Brattleboro rats as a model of congenital vasopressin-deficiency to test the hypothesis that central vasopressin signaling contributes to anxiety- and depression-like behavior. Male, female and lactating rats were studied. We focused on the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the septum, two brain areas in which vasopressin is proposed to control the endocrine and behavioral stress response, respectively. The presented data support the hypothesis that the behavioral changes seen in these rats are brought about by an altered vasopressin signaling at the brain level. Whereas vasopressin synthesized and released within the hypothalamus is primarily involved in endocrine regulation, vasopressin signaling in other brain areas may contribute to anxiety- and depression-like behavioral parameters. Further studies in this context might focus particularly on the interplay between extra-hypothalamic brain areas such as the septum and the medial amygdala.

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Anorexia nervosa and endocrinology: a clinical update

“…In addition to the established endocrine effects on osmoregulation and arteriole constriction, vasopressin is released directly into the brain where it is considered to be involved in social behavior, sexual motivation, depression and responses to stress (183). Animal experimental evidence of this is thoroughly reviewed (184). In humans, depression has been found to be associated with elevated levels of ADH in cerebrospinal fluid and enhanced pituitary sensitivity to ADH (185).…”

Epigenetic Modulation of Vasopressin Expression in Health and Disease

“…AVP determines behavioral responses to environmental stimuli and participates in the development of social interactions, aggression, reproduction, parental behavior and belonging [4,10,11]. Therefore, alterations in the AVPergic tone may be implicated in the pathology of stress-related disorders (anxiety and depression) [12], Alzheimer's disorder [13], posttraumatic stress disorder [14] as well as schizophrenia [15][16][17].…”

The Amygdala and Anxiety

“…Brain AVP acts synergistically with CRF on the pituitary, stimulating the release of ACTH and regulating the HPA axis. AVP is synthesized in the PvN and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus and is involved in stress responses via HPA regulation (for a review see [153]). It is also released to the hypothalamus and limbic system (including the amygdala) and is involved in stress responses and anxiety.…”