A hypothalamic hormone that stimulates corticotropin (ACTH) secretion from the anterior pituitary gland which increases adrenal gland corticosteroid production.
Inhibits food intake and is decreased with hypercortisolism and increased with adrenal insufficiency accounting for the weight gain and weight loss in these two conditions, respectively.
An intact CRH-ACTH-cortisol axis is necessary for the developmen of obesity.