High-fat withdrawal induces changes in stress pathways. A, There were no significant changes in CRF gene expression levels in the CeA compared with controls after high-fat exposure and subsequent withdrawal (n = 12). B, CRF levels in the BNST were significantly decreased by high-fat diet exposure and remained reduced for at least 8 weeks after withdrawal (n = 12) (*p < 0.01). C, In the CeA, there were no changes in methylation of the CRF promoter at individual cytosines or overall (n = 5). D, There was an overall significant decrease in methylation of the CRF promoter in the BNST (n = 5) after high-fat withdrawal (*p < 0.05). Data are mean ± SEM.