CSF was assayed for CRH by radioimmunoassay coupled with C18 Sep-pak extraction using our own antibodies as previously described33. Extracted samples were reconstituted in a buffer at a concentration 3-fold higher than the original samples. The sensitivity of the assays was 15 pg/ml for CRH. Plasma ACTH and cortisol radioimmunoassays utilized commercially available kits (ICN and DPC, Los Angeles, CA, respectively), and were run according to the instructions of the manufacturers. All assays were run in duplicate and the inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were all less than 12%.
