Concomitant changes in CRH mRNA levels in rat hippocampus and hypothalamusfollowing immobilization stress

By using in situ hybridization, we have demonstrated an increased expressio n of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA in the hippocampus followin g immobilization stress (3 h) in rats. It paralleled that measured in the h ypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Pretreatment of control and stre ssed rats with MK-801 (a NMDA receptor antagonist) further increased CRH mR NA expression, in the two structures. The concomitant up-regulation of CRH mRNA expression in these structures suggests a common regulatory finality f or a single molecule at two different loci. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.