Loss of memory and brain shrinkage associated with stress: Study – Health



[ad_1]

More than ever, stressful living conditions are prevalent in today's world. If stress is generally known to contribute to health problems ranging from high blood pressure to diabetes, it can also result in memory loss and shrinkage of the brain. linked to stress, has a negative effect on adults over 40 years old during a memory test or cognitive tasks.

Sudha Sesadri, MD, professor of neurology at UT Health San Antonio, lead author of the study, knew that stressed animals may experience cognitive decline, high levels of cortisol in humans, especially in the morning, are linked to a worse brain structure and cognition "fight or flight," says CNN . The adrenal glands are responsible for producing more of this hormone, which suppresses various bodily functions that can hinder survival, sometimes allowing humans to perform almost unbelievable feats.

Cortisol levels normally drop once the urgency is over, allowing functions to function. he had closed the body to start working again, which means you are back to normal. However, if you do not let your stress level drop, your body will still experience high levels of cortisol, which will not allow normal functions to return to normal. lack of nutrients to function optimally.

"The brain is a very hungry organ. It needs an inordinate amount of nutrients and oxygen to stay healthy and function properly. So when the body needs these resources to cope with stress, there are fewer things to do to go to the brain, "said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer's Association, quoted by CNN.

also found that higher levels of cortisol in the blood were also badociated with reduced brain volume.

High levels of cortisol were aligned with further damage to the corona radiata (parts of the brain responsible for transmitting information) and to the corpus. callosum (area between the two hemispheres of the brain).

Read also: Six Ways to Manage Office Stress and Stay Productive

The study also revealed that the brains of people with high cortisol levels were found to be had developed smaller brains – responsible for thought, emotions, speech and muscle function. People with high levels of cortisol had 88.5% of the total brain volume compared to 88.7% of people with normal cortisol levels.

It was also noted in the article published by CNN that the effects of a high concentration of cortisol on brain volume seemed to affect only women.

Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine, said that estrogen could increase cortisol levels.

"About 40% of women in the high cortisol group of the study were on hormone replacement therapy," said Dr. Isaac.

Seshadri stresses, however, that the finding should not have a negative impact on the use of hormone replacement therapy and points out that the results of the study would more likely show an badociation between cortisol levels and memory loss, instead of the hormone. causes of dementia.

She suggests that further research is needed to further study high levels of cortisol and their effects on the brain. (acr / mut)

[ad_2]
Source link