Noradrenergic control of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in stress and reward

► The extended amygdala connects to stress and reward neural circuitry. ► Release of norepinephrine in the BNST is modulated by stress and withdrawal. ► Noradrenergic drugs affect stress and reward behaviors in rodent models. ► Noradrenergic receptors modulate excitatory and inhibitory transmission in BNST. ► Modulation of synaptic transmission by NE may underlie stress-induced relapse.