A Single Stressful Event May Cause Long-Term Effects in the Brain
http://neurosciencenews.com/brain-changes-stress-event-5589/
A recent study found that a single stressful event may cause long-term consequences in the brain. A stressful situation lasting 40 minutes enhances the release of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. It has now been found that this enhanced release is sustained for at least 24 hours following the situation. After 24 hours, there is a significant atrophy of apical dendrites in the prefrontal cortex.
Unlike previous studies that measure these consequences to the brain after weeks of chronic stress, this research changes the distinction between the effects of acute and chronic stress. The dendrite atrophy that began after 24 hours following the stressful situation, was sustained for 2 weeks.
In addition to this discovery opening doors for advancements in PTSD treatment, it also puts into perspective how damaging stress is on our bodies. In our go, go, go society, we often overlook the effects stress has on the body and just think of stress as "normal". This study opens doors for more research on how much of an impact simple stressful situations have on the brain and can also lead to ways to better treat and manage stress. Learning that a single event could lead to the development of a serious neuropsychiatric disorder makes me much more aware of just how much stress I accumulate on a daily basis and how damaging it could be to my brain.
A recent study found that a single stressful event may cause long-term consequences in the brain. A stressful situation lasting 40 minutes enhances the release of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. It has now been found that this enhanced release is sustained for at least 24 hours following the situation. After 24 hours, there is a significant atrophy of apical dendrites in the prefrontal cortex.
Unlike previous studies that measure these consequences to the brain after weeks of chronic stress, this research changes the distinction between the effects of acute and chronic stress. The dendrite atrophy that began after 24 hours following the stressful situation, was sustained for 2 weeks.
In addition to this discovery opening doors for advancements in PTSD treatment, it also puts into perspective how damaging stress is on our bodies. In our go, go, go society, we often overlook the effects stress has on the body and just think of stress as "normal". This study opens doors for more research on how much of an impact simple stressful situations have on the brain and can also lead to ways to better treat and manage stress. Learning that a single event could lead to the development of a serious neuropsychiatric disorder makes me much more aware of just how much stress I accumulate on a daily basis and how damaging it could be to my brain.
Was this study done on people with stress linked disorders or on the general population? Seeing as people with genes linked with mental disorders can be developed when stress is overwhelming in their lives. I would like to know the details of the participants.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how much of a change happens during this process? It can't be that much of a change or else everyone would be crippled by their emotions.
Is there certain criteria needed within the stressful event?