CRH and cerebral infarction: Moreover, in cerebral infarction, the HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system are activated, and the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) content in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tissue are increased, while CRH can inhibit peristalsis of the stomach and small intestine, weakening the motility of the stomach and small intestine, and resulting in the retention of the contents.