RUI: Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Infant Behavior

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Infants that are involuntarily separated from their mothers may suffer severe physiological and behavioral consequences. Most of what we know concerning the physiological effects has derived from studies using nonhuman primates. These effects include increases in sympathetic activity, changes in neurotransmitter levels, and increased activity of the pituitary-adrenal system, a neuroendocrine system associated with stress. For many years, it was only possible to study such questions in primates since common laboratory rodents have been thought to respond to separation in a fundamentally different way than to primates, and possibly humans. In his previous NSF support, Dr. Hennessy demonstrated that the responses of young guinea pigs to maternal separation are in many ways similar to those of primates. The guinea pig model provides an alternative to primate research which, in turn, offers many practical advantages. Dr. Hennessy would continue his research to further our understanding of how brief periods of maternal separations alter neuroendocrine and behavioral function. He will examine the role of corticotropin- releasing factor (CRF) since this hypothalamic neurohormone is of primary importance in the body's diverse physiological and behavioral responses in threatening situations. Dr. Hennessy will investigate the role of centrally and peripherally administered corticotropin-releasing factor and its antagonists in mediating stress-induced behavioral changes. These basic studies will contribute to our understanding of the consequences of mother-infant separation and processes of attachment and elucidate the nature of the stress response in young.