background: irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) with chronic abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause is identi_ed as the most common known gastrointestinal disorder. ibs affects both sexes and can occur at any age. diagnosis of this disease in younger patients and women is more likely. in the pathophysiology of ibs, hereditary, environmental, visceral, psycholo...

Urocortin (Ucn) is a newly identified mammalian member of the CRF family of peptides. Ucn activates CRF receptors (both CRF-R1 and CRF-R2) with greater potency than CRF itself, suggesting that Ucn may play an endogenous role in eliciting (at least some) CRF receptor-mediated events. Because the most characterized physiological function of CRF receptors is the activation of pituitary ACTH secret...

Scientists have been aware of the existence of a complex relationship between stress and the subsequent activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the endocrine and neurobehavioral effects of cocaine for many years now. Our research program has focused on the involvement of HPA axis activation in cocaine reinforcement using the intravenous self-administration model. Behavio...

Inflammation-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been suggested to depend on prostaglandins, but the prostaglandin species and the prostaglandin-synthesizing enzymes that are responsible have not been fully identified. Here, we examined HPA axis activation in mice after genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of prostaglandin E(2)-synthesizing enzymes,...

Two major and mutually interconnected brain systems are recruited during stress reaction. One is the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH) and the second is the extended amygdala. PVH governs the neuroendocrine stress response while CeA regulates most of the autonomic and behavioral stress reactions. The common neurohormonal mediator of these responses is the corticotropin-releasing hormon...

Two behaviorally active hormones of the pituitary-adrenal system are adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) and corticosterone, and their behavioral effects are facilitation and inhibition of performance of previously learned avoidance responses, respectively. Their uptake, distribution and effects on central nervous system are reviewed. Hypothalamic neurotransmitter control of corticotropin relea...

1