Behavioral effects of vasopressin.

A single case study was executed to generate hypotheses concerning the role of vasopressin in human behavior. Classic tasks of experimental psychology, introspective and electrophysiological measures were applied in twelve sessions after randomized intake of vasopressin or a placebo. Results indicate that earlier stages of information processing in terms of attentional and arousal processes could be affected by the neuropeptide. Therefore the often claimed enhancement of memory processing seems to be an indirect effect of vasopressin.