CRF system and mood disorders.
Since CRF discovery, there has been an impressive accumulation of data regarding the role of the CRF system in the regulation of the stress response. The link between stress and induction of a mood episode in the context of unipolar or bipolar disorder has been clearly demonstrated in several studies and is confirmed by clinical practice, particularly in bipolar disorder. Antidepressant-like effects of CRFR1 antagonists in different animal models of depression have generated a strong interest in the clinical development of CRFR1 antagonist for the treatment of major depressive disorder. These efforts have so far not been rewarded by clinical efficacy. However, this therapeutic approach is still being explored. Finally, the accumulated genetic findings, mostly those related to variants within CRFR1, point to a role of the CRF system in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety.
Division of Psychiatric Specialties, Mood Disorder Program, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève, 20 rue de Lausanne, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: jean-michel.aubry@hcuge.ch.
Jean-Michel
JM
Aubry
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism
D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Antidepressant response; Bipolar disorders; CRF antagonists; Depression; Stress reactivity