Should I Stay or Should I Go? CRHPVN Neurons Gate State Transitions in Stress-Related Behaviors

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus are canonical controllers endocrine response to stress. Here we propose a new role for these cells as gate state transitions that allow organism engage stress-related behaviors. Specifically, review evidence indicating activation at critical times allows organisms move is permissive motor action. This evident when under duress (defensive behavior), has successfully vanquished threat (coping and an initiates approach conspecific (social behavior). The behavior follows from CRH not necessarily control but determined by higher order circuits discriminate more refined features environmental context execute appropriate behavior.