CRH and eating disorder: Briefly, lower levels of cortisol-deactivating enzymes 5-α-reductase and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 have been reported in patients with neurophychiatric disorders, reduced cortisol clearance, accompanied by changes in the affinity of cortisol to corticosteroid-binding globulin, elevation of corticotropic hormone (CRH) levels with resistance to glucocorticoids in patients with eating disorders, and increased secretion of CRH and increased activity of 11-βHSD type 1 in obese and alcohol-dependent individuals.