JCI - Corticotropin-releasing factor receptors and stress-related alterations of gut motor function

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptors and stress-related alterations of gut motor function

Yvette Taché, Bruno Bonaz

J Clin Invest. 2007; 117(1):33–40 doi:10.1172/JCI30085

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Figure 2

Lengthwise drawing of the rat brain showing the regions in which the activation of receptors for CRF influences gastric and colonic motor function through neural pathways innervating the gut.

The Barrington’s nucleus, through its reciprocal connections with the LC, can be influenced by or influence the noradrenergic-containing neurons in the LC that project to the forebrain. Efferent fibers from the Barrington’s complex also project to neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus (DMN) and the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN). Axons from DMN neurons provide vagal innervation to the stomach. The end target of vagal efferent fibers is the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the stomach wall. Stress activates the PVN, LC, and Barrington’s nucleus, resulting in autonomic nervous system–mediated inhibition of gastric and stimulation of colonic transit and motility. Vertical lines indicate coronal sections at the PVN and dorsal vagal complex (DVC). AP, area postrema; GI, gastrointestinal; mPVN, magnocellular PVN; NTS, nucleus tractus solitarius; pPVN, parvocellular PVN. Adapted with permission from Trends in Pharmacological Sciences (ref. 91; Figure 1).