CRF type 1 receptors in the dorsal periaqueductal gray modulate anxiety-induced defensive behaviors. 2007

Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2430 Campus Rd., Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. litvin@hawaii.edu

The dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) is involved in defensive coping reactions to threatening stimuli. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is substantially implicated as a direct modulator of physiological, endocrine and behavioral responses to a stressor. Previous findings demonstrate a direct role of the central CRF system in dPAG-mediated defensive reactions toward a threatening stimulus. These include anxiogenic behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) in rats and defensive reactions in both the mouse defense test battery (MDTB) and rat exposure test (RET) paradigms in mice. Furthermore, CRF was shown to directly and dose-dependently excite PAG neurons in vitro. The aim of the present series of experiments was to directly evaluate the role of the CRF1 receptor (CRF1) in dPAG-induced defensive behaviors in the MDTB and the RET paradigms. For this purpose, cortagine, a novel CRF1-selective agonist, was directly infused into the dPAG. In the RET the high dose of cortagine (100 ng) significantly affected spatial avoidance measures and robustly increased burying behavior, an established avoidance activity, while having no effects on behaviors in the MDTB. Collectively, these results implicate CRF1 in the dPAG as a mediator of temporally and spatially dependent avoidance in response to controllable and constant stimuli.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008959 Models, Neurological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D010487 Periaqueductal Gray Central gray matter surrounding the CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT in the MESENCEPHALON. Physiologically it is probably involved in RAGE reactions, the LORDOSIS REFLEX; FEEDING responses, bladder tonus, and pain. Mesencephalic Central Gray,Midbrain Central Gray,Central Gray Substance of Midbrain,Central Periaqueductal Gray,Griseum Centrale,Griseum Centrale Mesencephali,Periaqueductal Gray Matter,Substantia Grisea Centralis,Substantia Grisea Centralis Mesencephali,Central Gray, Mesencephalic,Central Gray, Midbrain,Gray Matter, Periaqueductal,Gray, Central Periaqueductal,Griseum Centrale Mesencephalus,Periaqueductal Grays, Central
D011993 Recombinant Fusion Proteins Recombinant proteins produced by the GENETIC TRANSLATION of fused genes formed by the combination of NUCLEIC ACID REGULATORY SEQUENCES of one or more genes with the protein coding sequences of one or more genes. Fusion Proteins, Recombinant,Recombinant Chimeric Protein,Recombinant Fusion Protein,Recombinant Hybrid Protein,Chimeric Proteins, Recombinant,Hybrid Proteins, Recombinant,Recombinant Chimeric Proteins,Recombinant Hybrid Proteins,Chimeric Protein, Recombinant,Fusion Protein, Recombinant,Hybrid Protein, Recombinant,Protein, Recombinant Chimeric,Protein, Recombinant Fusion,Protein, Recombinant Hybrid,Proteins, Recombinant Chimeric,Proteins, Recombinant Fusion,Proteins, Recombinant Hybrid
D003346 Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone A peptide of about 41 amino acids that stimulates the release of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE. CRH is synthesized by neurons in the PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, CRH stimulates the release of ACTH from the PITUITARY GLAND. CRH can also be synthesized in other tissues, such as PLACENTA; ADRENAL MEDULLA; and TESTIS. ACTH-Releasing Hormone,CRF-41,Corticotropin-Releasing Factor,Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone-41,ACTH-Releasing Factor,CRF (ACTH),Corticoliberin,Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-41,ACTH Releasing Factor,ACTH Releasing Hormone,Corticotropin Releasing Factor,Corticotropin Releasing Factor 41,Corticotropin Releasing Hormone,Corticotropin Releasing Hormone 41
D003674 Defense Mechanisms Unconscious process used by an individual or a group of individuals in order to cope with impulses, feelings or ideas which are not acceptable at their conscious level; various types include reaction formation, projection and self reversal. Mechanisms, Defense
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001007 Anxiety Feelings or emotions of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster but not disabling as with ANXIETY DISORDERS. Angst,Anxiousness,Hypervigilance,Nervousness,Social Anxiety,Anxieties, Social,Anxiety, Social,Social Anxieties
D001522 Behavior, Animal The observable response an animal makes to any situation. Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus

Related Publications

Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
April 2011, European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
April 2012, Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
December 2020, Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
January 2021, IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
June 2000, Behavioural brain research,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
January 2008, Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
November 2021, Neuroscience letters,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
March 2000, Pain,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
October 2015, Neuroscience,
Yoav Litvin, and Nathan S Pentkowski, and D Caroline Blanchard, and Robert J Blanchard
July 2016, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
Copied contents to your clipboard!