Deficiency of vasopressin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland. Clinical manifestations include extreme thirst, polydipsia, and reduced serum osmolality. Potential etiologies include CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA; post-neurosurgical states; HYPOTHALAMIC NEOPLASMS; PITUITARY NEOPLASMS; CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INFECTIONS; PITUITARY APOPLEXY; CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS; granulomatous diseases (including SARCOIDOSIS); and other conditions. The disorder may also be inherited as an autosomal or recessive trait. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch 36, pp55-8)