Windows into stress: a glimpse at emerging roles for CRHPVN neurons

The corticotropin-releasing hormone cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (CRH PVN ) control the slow endocrine response to stress. The synapses on these cells are exquisitely sensitive to acute stress, leveraging local signals to leave a lasting imprint on this system. Additionally, recent work indicates that these cells also play key roles in the control of distinct stress and survival behaviors. Here we review these observations and provide a perspective on the role of CRH PVN neurons as integrative and malleable hubs for behavioral, physiological, and endocrine responses to stress.