Role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in anxiety

Apart from its regulatory role in release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is implicated in behavioral functions. This review summarizes the present knowledge of the role of CRF in anxiety and discusses probable sites and receptors involved in the anxiogenic-like effect of CRF as well as possible interactions between the CRF system and other peptides. The role of the CRF system in human psychopathological conditions associated with anxiety is also reviewed. Based on the available literature, we suggest that the CRF system may interact with antianxiety drugs and that this interaction may be of importance in the development of anxiety induced by ethanol or cocaine withdrawal.