Vasopressin analog (DDAVP) facilitates concept learning in human males

Twenty-three chronic undifferentiated schizophrenics, 13 women and 10 men, aged 37-64 years with 15-to 40-year histories of the disease were given either thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10 subjects) or DDAVP (13 subjects) with the aim to improve the negative symptoms of the disease and memory. TRH (600 µg i.v.) and DDAVP (4 µg i.m.) were administered every other day for 30 days. Negative symptoms were monitored by the Andreasen rating scale and by the Honingfeld NOSIE rating scale, memory by the Folstein ‘Mini mental State’ rating scale and by the Luria-Nebraska rating scale before therapy and then at days 15, 16, 30 and 31 of treatment. Both therapies significantly improved negative symptoms. Memory was significantly improved in all the patients treated with TRH and in 9 of the 13 patients treated with DDAVP, who presented less severe cognitive impairments. A peripheral mechanism of action of DDAVP was excluded by the observation that plasma electrolytes and osmolality, blood pressure, ECG patterns, 24-hour urine volume and specific gravity, basal plasma cortisol and growth hormone levels and weight of the patients were unchanged during therapy. TRH treatment induced a transient borderline hyperthyroidism at day 15 and a progressive decrease of the thyrotropin response to TRH stimulation. A common mechanism of action of the two peptides on the central noradrenergic system is suggested.

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“…1979Gold et al. , 1980Legros et al, 1980;Weingartner et al, 1981;Amsterdam et al, 1981: Beckwith et al. 1982Laczi et al.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Neuropeptide Therapies in Chronic Schizophrenia: TRH and Vasopressin Administration

Brambilla

Aguglia²,

Massironi³

et al. 1986

Neuropsychobiology

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“…Although the mechanisms are obscure, recent studies of the effects of peripheral and central administration of exogenous vasopressin and its neurally active analogues in animals and humans suggest involvement in a variety of cognitive processes including learning and memory functions [5,7,8] and, more specifially, the acquisition and retention of adaptive behavior patterns [4,8]. Additional reported effects of AVP in humans suggest psychotherapeutic and behavior-modifying properties [9,34] as well as improvement of attentional processes [ 1]. Implicit in many of these reports is the notion that naturally occurring modification of existing, or acquisition of new behavior patterns may be facilitated by an increase of endogenous AVP activity centrally and/or peripherally.…”

Section: Hormonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hormonal control in a state of decreased activation: Potentiation of arginine vasopressin secretion

O’Halloran

Jevning

Wilson

et al. 1985

Physiology & Behavior

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PHYSIOL BEHAV 35(4) 591-595, 1985 --Behaviorally induced stress is associated with increased arginme vasopressln (AVP) secretion. In this report we describe a phasic conditioned response of AVP secretion yielding 2.6--7.1 times normal plasma concentration of this hormone m assocmtlon w~th a physmlog~cal state of decreased activation, that associated with the mental technique of "transcendental meditation" (TM) in long-term practltmners (6-8 years of regular elicitation) Such a very large phastc response of AVP was previously unknown m the normal physmlogy of AVP. This elevation was not accompanied by elevatmn of plasma osmolality. Unstyllzed ordinary eyes closed rest in a separate group of subjects studied in the same manner was associated with normal plasma AVP concentration. Galvanic skin resistance (GSR) increased dunng both TM and rest with significantly larger increase assocmted with TM. Other measures of activation, including muscle metabolism, and the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory indicated marked relaxatmn in associatmn with TM. In previous research it has been shown that blood pressure does not change acutely dunng th~s behavmr. These observations in&cate that neither stress nor operatmn of other usual homeostatic control mechamsms are responsible for elevated for AVP in the meditators. It is speculated that the apparently unique mechanism of TM-mduced AVP secretion may be more specifically related to the behavmral effects of meditatmn. [5,7,8] and, more specifially, the acquisition and retention of adaptive behavior patterns [4,8]. Additional reported effects of AVP in humans suggest psychotherapeutic and behavior-modifying properties [9,34] as well as improvement of attentional processes [ 1]. Implicit in many of these reports is the notion that naturally occurring modification of existing, or acquisition of new behavior patterns may be facilitated by an increase of endogenous AVP activity centrally and/or peripherally. However, except for states of stress, potentiation of AVP secretion associated with behavior modification or adaptation has not been demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to determine if long-term, regular practice of the technique of "transcendental meditation" (TM), reported to induce numerous behavioral changes [10,12,16,22,28], may be associated with altered secretion of AVP. This behavior, elicited twice daily in the morning and evening for 20--40 minute periods by the regular practitioner, is associated with major physiologic changes in long-term subjects [17][18][19]. Hormones METHODTwelve subjects, six long-term meditation practitioners (5-10 year instructors of TM) and six non-meditating individuals ("ordinary rest" group), were studied. All subjects were normal, university educated individuals and did not use tobacco, alcohol or regular medication. Their ages ranged 1Requests for reprints should be addressed to R. Jevning, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Califorma, Irvine, Irvme, CA 92717. The additional point for the TM group represent...

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“…He found no favorable change in the treated subjects as compared with controls (duration of the study was 15 days). Finally, Beckwith et al [1] report a double-blind study in which they studied the effects of desmopressin in 54 normal subjects aged between 18 and 25 years. Eighteen subjects received des mopressin, 21 received normal saline, and 15 received no treatment.…”

Section: Commentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Vasopressin and Desmopressin on Memory

Guard¹,

Marchal²,

Graule³

et al. 1986

Neuropsychobiology

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In a study involving 40 healthy student volunteers, 10 subjects were given lysine vasopressin at a dose of 0.4 ml (23 IU) per day in 3 divided doses for 15 days by the nasal route. Ten subjects were given desmopressin at a dose of 0.2 ml (20 µg) per day in a single dose for 15 days by the nasal route. Twenty subjects were given placebo by the nasal route. Memory tests were conducted under the same conditions before and after treatment (verbal span, verbal retention, visual retention, visual learning, verbal learning). Only the contents of the tests were varied, so as to avoid familiarity. Statistical analysis did not show any significant change in the scores between the first and the second series of tests, between the two treated groups, or between them studied separately and the control subjects.

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Vasopressin analog (DDAVP) facilitates concept learning in human males

Cited by 82 publications

References 23 publications

Neuropeptide Therapies in Chronic Schizophrenia: TRH and Vasopressin Administration

Neuropeptide Therapies in Chronic Schizophrenia: TRH and Vasopressin Administration

Hormonal control in a state of decreased activation: Potentiation of arginine vasopressin secretion

Effects of Vasopressin and Desmopressin on Memory

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