Endoplasmic reticulum stress contributes to CRH-induced hippocampal neuron apoptosis

► Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) decreases hippocampal neuron cell viability in vitro in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. ► CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) participates in CRH-induced neuron apoptosis. ► Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, through activating the IRE1/ASK1/JNK cascade, plays an important role in CRH-induced neuron apoptosis.