Title:Arginine Vasopressin, Synaptic Plasticity, and Brain Networks
Volume: 20
Issue: 12
Author(s): Anna B. Marcinkowska, Vinicia C. Biancardi and Pawel J. Winklewski*
Affiliation:
- 2-nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
Keywords:
Arginine-vasopressin, synaptic plasticity, brain networks, neuronal oscillatory activity, blood-oxygen-leveldependent activity, network-level oscillatory activity.
Abstract: The arginine vasopressin (AVP), a neurohypophysial hormone, is synthesized within specific
sites of the central nervous system and axonally transported to multiple areas, acting as a neurotransmitter/
neuromodulator. In this context, AVP acts primarily through vasopressin receptors A
and B and is involved in regulating complex social and cognition behaviors and basic autonomic
function. Many earlier studies have shown that AVP as a neuromodulator affects synaptic plasticity.
This review updates our current understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms by which
AVP affects synaptic plasticity. Moreover, we discuss AVP modulatory effects on event-related potentials
and blood oxygen level-dependent responses in specific brain structures, and AVP effects on
the network level oscillatory activity. We aimed at providing an overview of the AVP effects on the
brain from the synaptic to the network level.
