title: Alterations in the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurocircuitry: Insights into post stroke functional impairments.
abstract: Although it is well accepted that changes in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis may increase susceptibility to affective disorders in the general population, this link has been less examined in stroke patients. Yet, the bidirectional association between depression and cardiovascular disease is strong, and stress increases vulnerability to stroke. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the central stress hormone of the HPA axis pathway and acts by binding to CRH receptors (CRHR) 1 and 2, which are located in several stress-related brain regions. Evidence from clinical and animal studies suggests a role for CRH in the neurobiological basis of depression and ischemic brain injury. Given its importance in the regulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral correlates of adaptation and maladaptation to stress, CRH is likely associated in the pathophysiology of post stroke emotional impairments. The goals of this review article are to examine the clinical and experimental data describing (1) that CRH regulates the molecular signaling brain circuit underlying anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, (2) the influence of CRH and other stress markers in the pathophysiology of post stroke emotional and cognitive impairments, and (3) context and site specific interactions of CRH and BDNF as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This review addresses how the production and release of the neuropeptide CRH within the various regions of the mesocorticolimbic system influences emotional and cognitive behaviors with a look into its role in psychiatric disorders post stroke.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barra de la Tremblaye
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: hplamond@uottawa.ca.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Plamondon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: Anxiety and depressive-like behaviors; Brain derived neurotrophic factor; Brain ischemia; Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH); HPA axis; Reward system; Serotonin