ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors summarize studies performed in laboratory exploring how brain corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) systems mediate the stress hormone response in rhesus monkeys. Studies in humans have already demonstrated alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of CRH in patients with depression, anorexia nervosa, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The next experiment assessed the effects of environmental stress on CSF-CRH-immunoreactivity (IR) concentrations. In preliminary studies, increased levels of CSF-CRH-IR were found in patients with major depression and anorexia nervosa. The behavioral effects of CRH administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) have been explored primarily in rodents. When monkeys were chair restrained, CRH produced behavioral activation. Little is known about the effects of i.c.v CRH in primates. The authors' CSF studies show that in primates CSF-CRH-IR concentrations follow a diurnal variation and that the origin of CSF-CRH is probably from extrahypothalamic brain regions. The authors' approach to study the effects of centrally administered CRH on endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral systems.
