Role of corticotropin releasing factor in anxiety disorders: A translational research perspective

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders that include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, phobic disorders (e.g., specific phobias, agoraphobia, social phobia) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders are among the most common of all mental disorders and,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hormones and behavior 2006-11, Vol.50 (4), p.550-561
Main Authors: Risbrough, Victoria B., Stein, Murray B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Animals
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders - physiopathology
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biochemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Clinical medicine
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - physiology
CRF
CRH
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hormones
Hormones and behavior
Humans
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology
Medical sciences
Mental disorders
Panic disorder
Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology
Post traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Proteins
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Reflex, Startle - physiology
Signal Transduction
Startle
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - physiopathology
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Summary:Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders that include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, phobic disorders (e.g., specific phobias, agoraphobia, social phobia) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders are among the most common of all mental disorders and, when coupled with an awareness of the disability and reduced quality of life they convey, they must be recognized as a serious public health problem. Over 20 years of preclinical studies point to a role for the CRF system in anxiety and stress responses. Clinical studies have supported a model of CRF dysfunction in depression and more recently a potential contribution to specific anxiety disorders (i.e., panic disorder and PTSD). Much work remains in both the clinical and preclinical fields to inform models of CRF function and its contribution to anxiety. First, we will review the current findings of CRF and HPA axis abnormalities in anxiety disorders. Second, we will discuss startle reflex measures as a tool for translational research to determine the role of the CRF system in development and maintenance of clinical anxiety.
ISSN:0018-506X
1095-6867
DOI:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.06.019