Journal of hypertension
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Recently, there has been an explosion of knowledge on vasopressin, including its neuro-anatomy, biochemistry and physiology. Recent work demonstrates extensive extra-hypothalamic vasopressinergic projections from the SON and PVN. Of particular importance are projections to the cardiovascular medullary centres. ⋯ Indeed, its volume retaining properties have probably been underestimated. Whereas in acute situations the vasoconstrictor properties may be of some importance, it is difficult to sustain long-term hypertension without maintenance of an adequate plasma volume. Vasopressin's central actions on the cardiovascular medullary centres, the baroreflex, the autonomic nervous system and catecholamine metabolism may also be involved in some hypertensive processes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)