subtypes (CRF1 and CRF2) (Bale and Vale, 2004). CRF1 and CRF2 receptors are distributed in overlapping yet distinct patterns within these brain reward and stress circuits. This anatomical distribution of CRF and its associated binding sites is congruent with the important role of both hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic CRF in processing and regulating central, autonomic, and emotional/behavioral responses to stress as well as rewarding stimuli/events including alcohol and other drugs of abuse (Bruijnzeel and Gold, 2005; Ryabinin et al., 2002).
