Early gene expression in the rat brain following administration of corticoliberin in the neostriatum

Using in situ hybridisation with oligonucleotide probes, an expression of immediate early genes c-fos, jun B, c-jun, and NGFIA in the rat brain was studied following intrastriatal microinjection of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The hormone induced expression of c-fos, jun B, and NGFIA mRNAs in the neostriatum as well as in its target brain areas, including nucleus accumbens and different cortical areas. The expression of c-jun mRNAs was unaffected. The findings indicate that neuronal activation of the neostriatum and its target brain areas provides one possible mechanism for mediating adaptive CRH actions in stress.