Anxiolytic effect of a CRH receptor antagonist in the dorsal periaqueductal gray

William J. Apfeldorf, Lisa A. Spielman, Marylene Cloitre, Leora Heckelman, M. Katherine Shear

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is anxiogenic when microinjected into the dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG). Microinjection of alpha-helical-CRH9-41 (0.5 μg), a CRH receptor antagonist, bowever, failed to change anxiety levels. The objective of this study was to verify if this compound has any effect in the anxiogenic behavior of rats submitted to 4 hr of restraint stress 24 hr before the test in an elevated plus maze. Results showed that stressed rats had a decreased exploration of open arms without changing the number of enclosed arm entries. The stress effect was reversed by intra-DPAG injection of alpha-helical-CRH9-41 (0.5 μg). These results suggest that the anxiogenic behavior of rats previously stressed by forced immobilization might involve facilitation of CRH-mediated neurotransmission in the DPAG. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)99-101
Number of pages3
JournalDepression and Anxiety
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Corticotropin releasing hormone
  • CRH
  • CRH antagonist
  • Dorsal periaqueductal gray
  • Elevated plus-maze

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Anxiolytic effect of a CRH receptor antagonist in the dorsal periaqueductal gray'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this