How Stress Affects the Brain

What Happens to a Brain after Long Exposure to Stress?

Apr 6, 2009 Barbara Pytel

A Yale study shows a correlation to childhood stress and depression later in life. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can actually shrink brain cells.

Yale University finds that stress disorders and depression are linked to physical changes in brain nerve cells. When the cells shrink, they disconnect. Disconnected brain cells may contribute to depression. [1]

Stress Negatively Affects Nerve Cells

Researchers have studied the cause of depression mainly postmortem. New animal studies are uncovering new information that confirms stress links to depression. "These results indicate that changes in depressive behavior are associated with remarkable remodeling of hippocampal spine synapses at the ultrastructural level. Because spine synapse loss contributes to hippocampal dysfunction, this cellular mechanism may be an important component in the neurobiology of stress-related disorders such as depression." [2] This research may be vital in helping children of abuse and war veterans.

Childhood Abuse Changes the Brain

Psychiatrists have long known that children of abuse and neglect suffer from depression when older. These children are more likely to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs and are even more likely to commit suicide. The question has always been "why?"

The journal, Nature Neuroscience, has published information that may answer that question. A Montreal study of people who have committed suicide does state that people who were abused or neglected when young showed genetic altercations that likely made them more sensitive to stress. However, children under stress with affectionate mothering alters genes and allows them to soften the response to stress. In other words, how children are soothed when under stress affects how they handle stress. It also affects the next generation and how they will handle stress with their children. [3]

Stress and Hormones

The studies state that when under stress, the human body will widely circulate the hormone cortisol. A brain that is equipped with resistors can reduce the anxiety caused by the stressors and protect the brain cells from prolonged exposure to the brain. This process protects the brain against damage. A brain that has not been equipped with resistors will be unable to protect itself from cortisol damage. The difference between the two brains is the genetic component of the mother or father and the ability to comfort the child. The ability to resist the stress is 40% less in children who had been abused.

If parents do not handle stress and are unable to comfort a child during stress, that child is likely to have the genetic component that will reduce the child’s ability to resist the stress. "Because of individual differences in the genetic machinery that regulates stress response, experts say, many people manage their distress despite awful childhoods. Others may find solace in other people, which helps them regulate the inevitable pain of living a full life." [3]

[1] Byron Richards, "Stress May Shrink Your Brain," wellnessresources.com, March 29, 2009.

[2] "Stress Adversely Effects Nerve Cell Connections," wellnessresources.com, March 29, 2009.

[3] Benedict Carey, "After Abuse, Changes in the Brain," boston.com, February 24, 2009.

Related article: Starting School Creates Stress

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Children Brain's are Sensitive to Stress