Early life stress impairs social function through AVP-dependent mechanisms

Abstract

28Impaired social function is a core feature of many psychiatric illnesses. Adverse experiences during 29 childhood increase risk for mental illness, however it is currently unclear whether stress early in life 30 plays a direct role in the development of social difficulties. Using an animal model of pre-pubertal 31 stress (PPS), we investigated effects on social behaviour, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin (AVP). We 32 also explored social performance and AVP expression in participants with borderline personality 33 disorder (BPD) who experienced a high incidence of childhood stress. Social behaviour was impaired 34 and AVP expression increased in animals experiencing PPS and participants with BPD. Behavioural 35 deficits in animals were rescued through administration of the AVP receptor 1a antagonist 36 Relcovaptan (SR49059). AVP levels and recognition of negative emotions were significantly correlated 37 in BPD participants only. In conclusion, early life stress plays a profound role in the precipitation of 38 social dysfunction, and AVP mediates at least part of this effect. 39 40