In vivo CRF release in rat amygdala is increased during cocaine withdrawalin self-administering rats

Previous studies have suggested a role for corticotropin-releasing factor ( CRF) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in the aversive and anxio genic effects of withdrawal from opiates and ethanol. To test whether this role of CRF extends to cocaine withdrawal as well, the release of CRF in ra t amygdala was monitored by intracranial microdialysis during a 12-hour ses sion of intravenous cocaine self-administration and subsequent 12-hour coca ine withdrawal period. Cocaine self-administration tended to lower dialysat e CRF concentrations to approximately 75% of CRF levels in controls. In con trast, subsequent cocaine withdrawal produced a profound increase in CRF re lease, which reached peak levels of approximately 400% of baseline between 11 and 12 hours post-cocaine; These results provide evidence that cocaine w ithdrawal activates CRF neurons in the amygdala, a site that has been impli cated in emotional and anxiogenic effects of stress and drug withdrawal syn dromes. Synapse 32:254-261, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.