Role of corticotropin-releasing factor family peptides and receptors in stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and related neuropeptides such as urocortin are key mediators of stress in the central nervous system. Through two types of G-protein-linked receptors, they play important roles in stress and its relationship to a variety of psychiatric illnesses. CRF appears to play an important role in regulating key neural systems involved in controlling mood, anxiety, feeding behavior, and the interactions between stress and drug addiction. Our improved understanding of the actions of CRF and related peptides reveals not only mechanisms by which stress affects behavior, but also new opportunities to intervene in psychiatric disorders related to stress exposure.