Increased protein and mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), decreased CRF receptors and CRF binding protein in specific postmortem brain areas of teenage suicide subjects.

•Abnormalities of HPA-axis are associated with depression and suicidal behavior.•CRF expression is increased in PFC, but not in HIPPO of teenage suicide subjects.•We found region-specific changes in the expression of CRF and its receptors.•Increased CRF and decreased CRF-BP and CRF-R1 may be associated with suicide.