Preserved Vasopressin Response to Osmostimulation Despite Decreased Basal Vasopressin Levels in Long‐Term Abstinent Alcoholics

Abstract

Despite their persistently decreased basal AVP plasma levels, long-term abstinent alcoholics have a well preserved AVP response to osmostimulation. This finding indicates a peripheral suppression of AVP levels that is most likely due to a regulatory set-point shift toward hypotonic hyperhydration, rather than to a reduced central capacity of AVP secretion.