CRF1 receptor antagonists: treatment of stress-related disorders

Adaptive responding to stressors is of fundamental importance to the survival of the species. Aberrant hyperactivation of corticotropin releasing factor type 1 (CRF1) receptors in dysfunctional stress response system (SRS) pathways may contribute to stress-related psychopathology and therefore CRF1 receptor antagonists (CRAs) may be useful in their treatment. The status of nonpeptidic, orally active, brain-penetrating CRAs being developed for the treatment of depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and drug abuse is reviewed.

Section editor:Leslie Iversen – Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, UK