1st Edition

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Basic and Clinical Studies of a Neuropeptide

By Errol B. De Souza Copyright 1990

    This book provides a comprehensive summary of data from basic and clinical studies in support of a role for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) as a neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It includes descriptions of the anatomy of CRF and its receptors in the CNS, as well as the characterization of CRF receptors and the second messenger systems mediating effects of CRF in the brain. It discusses the autonomic, behavioral, and electrophysiologic effects of CRF administration in the brain. This work also includes a section which covers the role of brain CRF in the etiology and pathophysiology of a variety of neurologic, psychiatric, and endocrine disorders. Endocrinologists, brain researchers, and neuroendocrinologists are among those who will find this reference both useful and interesting.

    1. Cloning and Distribution of Expression of the Rat Corticotropin-Releasing Factor CRF Gene 2. Distribution and Regulation of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor mRNA in Brain Using In Situ Hybridization Histochemistry 3. Central Nervous System CRF in Stress- Radioimmunassay Studies 4. Organization of CRF Immunore-Active Cells and Fibers in the Rat Brain- Immunohistochemical Studies 5. The Organization and Possible Function of Amygdaloid Corticotropin Releasing Factor Pathways 6. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor CRF Receptors in the Rat Central Nervous System- Autoradiographic Localization 7. Brain CRF and Development 8. Neurotransmitter Regulation of CRF Secretion In Vitro 9. CRF Receptor in Brain- Characterization and Regulation 10. Characterization of Second Messengers Coupled to CRF Receptors in Brain 11. Receptors for Corticotropin-Releasing Factor 12. Regulation of ACTH Secretion by CRF 13. CRF Actions on Adenohypophyseal Hormone Secretion 14. Electrophysiology of CRF in Nervous Tissue 15 .Effects of CRF on Spontaneous and Sensory-Evoked Activity of Locus Coeruleus Neurons 16. CRF Effects on Brain EEG Activity- Im-plications for the Modulation of Normal and Abnormal Brain States 17. Behavioral Effects of CRF 18. Corticotropin Releasing Factor and Ingestive Behaviors 19. Behavioral and Endocrine Effects of CRF in Primates 20. Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System by Corticotropin Releasing Factor 21. CRF- Central Nervous System Action to Influence Gastrointestinal Function and the Role in the Gastrointestinal Response to Stress 22. Clinical Studies with Ovine and Human CRF in Psychiatric Patients and Normal Controls 23. Corticotropin Releasing Factor- Cerebrospinal Fluid Studies 24. Abnormalities in Corticotropin Releasing Factor CRF in Neurodegenerative Diseases

    Biography

    Errol B. De Souza