Here, we show that corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-induced prenatal stress (PNS) in late gestation predisposes female offspring to BE-like behavior that coincides with hypomethylation of hypothalamic miR-1a and downstream dysregulation of the melanocortin system through Pax7/Pax3.
These findings demonstrate that extra-hypothalamic CRF1 receptors, rather than those involved in endocrine functions, are involved in binge eating and the crucial role of CRF receptors in CeA.