TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of corticotropin-releasing factor in the pathophysiology of depression
T2 - Implications for antidepressant mechanisms of action
AU - Martin, Elizabeth I.
AU - Nemeroff, Charles B.
PY - 2008/4/1
Y1 - 2008/4/1
N2 - An overwhelming and ever-growing literature support the hypothesis that the CRF-ergic neurons, including extrahypothalamic as well as HPA axis components, represent a seminal stress-response system, which plays a causal role in the etiology of affective and anxiety disorders. Data have also demonstrated a role for CRF-ergic circuitry in the mechanism of action of current antidepressant therapies. The temporal sequence of symptom improvement during treatment with these agents more closely matches normalization of CRF-ergic signaling and HPA axis functioning than their primary effects on monoaminergic systems. Moreover, CRF1 antagonists are known to possess antidepressant and anxiolytic properties and likely represent a novel class of antidepressants/anxiolytics that may be used both in monotherapy as well as in combination with currently available treatments.
AB - An overwhelming and ever-growing literature support the hypothesis that the CRF-ergic neurons, including extrahypothalamic as well as HPA axis components, represent a seminal stress-response system, which plays a causal role in the etiology of affective and anxiety disorders. Data have also demonstrated a role for CRF-ergic circuitry in the mechanism of action of current antidepressant therapies. The temporal sequence of symptom improvement during treatment with these agents more closely matches normalization of CRF-ergic signaling and HPA axis functioning than their primary effects on monoaminergic systems. Moreover, CRF1 antagonists are known to possess antidepressant and anxiolytic properties and likely represent a novel class of antidepressants/anxiolytics that may be used both in monotherapy as well as in combination with currently available treatments.
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U2 - 10.3928/00485713-20080401-02
DO - 10.3928/00485713-20080401-02
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:44349173715
VL - 38
SP - 260
EP - 266
JO - Psychiatric Annals
JF - Psychiatric Annals
SN - 0048-5713
IS - 4
ER -