Research interest: determine the physiological role of Corticotropin-releasing-factor binding-protein (CRF-BP), its interaction with Corticotropin-releasing-factor (CRF) and the Corticotropin-releasing-factor Receptor 2 (CRF-R2).  I am interested on the CRF-BP effect on psychiatric diseases and in reinstatement of cocaine and alcohol. 

Stress increases addictive behavior.  However, the mechanism by which stress-released molecules exert their effects on cocaine-seeking and alcohol abuse are poorly understood.  CRF is released in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) during stressful events.  CRF is also synthesized and secreted by the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy; however, despite the high CRF stress levels in the maternal bloodstream, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels are within normal range.  This paradox has been explained by the presence of CRF-BP, which was originally thought to have a buffer role for CRF for the prevention of stressful events.  However, we postulate that CRF-BP is not just a sink for CRF, but has an active role in the CRF-mediate process potentiation of NMDA receptor signaling.