The treatment with Clozapine-N-Oxide (CNO) in drinking water efficiently activates the vasopressinergic neurons in the supraoptic nucleus throughout the receptors designed exclusively to be activated by designer drugs (DREADDs)

Located in the supraoptic nuclei (SON) and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, hypothalamic magnocellular neurons (MCNs) synthesize and secrete vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin, regulating hydromineral and reproductive homeostasis. AVP in plasma increases water reabsorption in the kidneys. Adenoviral vectors carrying drug-specific receptors (DREADDs) can activate/inhibit specific neuron groups in transgenic animals (Cre-LoxP technology). Studying the activation of AVP-producing MCNs in the SON can help understand its role in water balance regulation. However, the literature lacks studies evaluating the efficiency of chronically activating AVP-producing MCNs in the SON.