CRF system recruitment mediates dark side of compulsive eating

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0908789106
• Publication Date: 2009-11-10T03:20:09Z
• Authors: Pietro Cottone; Valentina Sabino; Marisa Roberto; Michal Bajo; Lara Pockros; Jennifer B. Frihauf; Eva M. Fekete; Luca Steardo; Kenner C. Rice; Dimitri E. Grigor...; Bruno Conti; George F. Koob; Eric P. Zorrilla
• Keywords: Hypophagia; Overeating; Dieting; Anxiogenic; Extended amygdala; Binge eating

Dieting to control body weight involves cycles of deprivation from palatable food that can promote compulsive eating. The present study shows rats withdrawn intermittent access exhibit overeating upon renewed and an affective withdrawal-like state characterized by corticotropin-releasing factor-1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonist-reversible behaviors, including hypophagia, motivational deficits obtain less food, anxiogenic-like behavior. Withdrawal was accompanied increased CRF expression CRF(1) electrophysiological responsiveness in the central nucleus amygdala. We propose recruitment anti-reward extrahypothalamic CRF-CRF(1) systems during withdrawal analogous abstinence abused drugs, may selection undereating healthier alternatives, a negative emotional when intake is prevented.