Recovery of stress-impaired social behavior by an antagonist of the CRF binding protein, CRF 6-33, in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of male rats.

•Intermittent social defeat did not promote anhedonic-like symptoms.•Intra-BNST CRF6–33 infusions restored social approach impaired by social defeat.•CRF mechanisms in the BNST modulate anxiety responses in stressed rats.