Corticotropin-releasing factor modulates defensive-withdrawal and exploratory behavior in rats.

Abstract

The role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), an endogenous neuropeptide, in modulating species-typical responses was examined in an unfamiliar open field containing a small chamber. Rats placed in this small chamber spent most of their time withdrawn in it. However, rats given an intracerebroventricular injection (20 micrograms) of alpha-helical CRF(9-41), a CRF receptor antagonist, emerged from the chamber and explored the unfamiliar open field. Additional studies showed that after 1 exposure to the test environment, vehicle-treated rats increased their time spent in the open field and returned intermittently to the chamber. This result suggests that reexposure reduces the threatening impact of an unfamiliar open field. Importantly, CRF (300 ng) injected centrally, but not peripherally, before reexposure to the test environment significantly reduced exploration in the open field and increased a pattern of defensive-withdrawal into the chamber. Data suggest that whether defensive-withdrawal or exploratory behavior is exhibited may depend on CRF actions in brain systems that mediate the perception of threat in the environment.

Cites (3)

1. Organization of ovine corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactive cells and fibers in the rat brain: an immunohistochemical study
   Swanson, L.W., Sawchenko, P.E., Rivier, J., Vale, W.W. · 2008 · Neuroendocrinology
2. Primary structure of corticotropin-releasing factor from ovine hypothalamus
   Spiess, J, Rivier, J, Rivier, C, Vale, W · 1981 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
3. Corticotropin-releasing factor administered intraventricularly to rhesus monkeys
   Kalin, Ned H., Shelton, Steven E., Kraemer, Gary W., McKinney, William T. · 1983 · Peptides

Show all 3 references

Cited by (26)

1. Physiological and behavioral responses to corticotropin-releasing factor administration: is CRF a mediator of anxiety or stress responses?
   Dunn, Adrian J., Berridge, Craig W. · 1990 · Brain Research Reviews
2. CRF and CRF receptors: role in stress responsivity and other behaviors
   Bale, Tracy L., Vale, Wylie W. · 2004 · Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
3. Corticotropin Releasing Factor Receptor 1–Deficient Mice Display Decreased Anxiety, Impaired Stress Response, and Aberrant Neuroendocrine Development
   Smith, George W, Aubry, Jean-Michel, Dellu, Francoise, Contarino, Angelo, Bilezikjian, Louise M, Gold, Lisa H, Chen, Ruoping, Marchuk, Yelena, Hauser, Chris, Bentley, Cornelia A et al. · 1998 · Neuron
4. Corticotropin-releasing factor, norepinephrine, and stress
   Koob, George F · 1999 · Biological Psychiatry
5. Increase of extracellular corticotropin-releasing factor-like immunoreactivity levels in the amygdala of awake rats during restraint stress and ethanol withdrawal as measured by microdialysis
   Pich, EM, Lorang, M, Yeganeh, M, Rodriguez de Fonseca, F, Raber, J, Koob, GF, Weiss, F · 1995 · The Journal of Neuroscience

See all 203