Vasopressin, oxytocin and memory: effects on consolidation and retrieval processes

Vasopressin and oxytocin of hypothalamic neurosecretory origin affect both consolidation and retrieval of memory but in an opposite manner. Vasopressin facilitates these processes while oxytocin appears to be an amnesic neuropeptide. Additionally, vasopressin and a number of fragments of this peptide are able to prevent but also to reverse experimental amnesia. Structure activity studies suggest that the neurohypophyseal hormones may serve as mothermolecules for behaviorally active peptides which selectively affect consolidation or retrieval processes. The mechanism by which these neuropeptides modulate memory processes is likely an interaction with the impulse flow in aminergic systems in particular in the limbic-midbrain areas. It is suggested that experimental observations may be of predictive value for the clinical use of neuropeptides at memory disturbances.