Publication Year: 2009
Edition: 1st
Authors/Editor: Laycock, John Francis
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-84-816294-5
This monograph about the polypeptide vasopressin covers all aspects relating to the production, control of release, and actions of this molecule within the body, including its roles as a hormone and as a central neurotransmitter.
Vasopressin is a hormone which has an increasingly important profile. Not only does it play a physiologically significant role in renal water regulation but it also has other renal actions and plays a role in overall cardiovascular control. Even more interesting is the recent growing interest in its potential effects on the brain, notably its influence on specific behaviours.
A consideration of the evolution of the molecule across the species and a brief historical perspective are included. Clinical conditions associated with hypo- and hyper-production states are considered together with aspects of treatment, in addition to other clinical correlates.