Chronic stress can affect a person's health and mental well being. Due to the COVID-19 virus, chronic stress is on the rise worldwide. Researchers examine the general and psychological health implications of chronic stress and suggest some methods we can adopt to keep our stress levels in check. Read More
Rats susceptible to anhedonia have more serotonin neurons in the ventral dorsal raphe nucleus. However, activating neurons in the central amygdala reduced the serotonin signaling and lowered the effects of social stress. Read More
Deep sleep restores the medial prefrontal cortex mechanisms that restore emotion. This lowers emotional and physiological reactivity, preventing the escalation of stress and anxiety. Read More
Early life stress alone impairs hippocampal development. Stress, in addition to maternal mistreatment within the first few weeks of life, also hinders amygdala development. Read More
Chronic stress during pregnancy increases neuroinflammation. The immune changes may create circumstances in the brain, which increase susceptibility to postnatal depression. Read More
A new study identifies a novel neural network regulating feeding and mood in response to chronic stress. Inhibiting the POMC to ventral tegmental area circuit increases body weight and food intake while reducing depressive symptoms in mouse models. Read More
Chronic stress causes autophagy in adult hippocampal neural stem cells. This results in a decline of hippocampal neurogenesis. Cognitive deficits and mood disorders that arise as a result of chronic stress are a result of autophagic death of hippocampal neural stem cells. Read More
A new study reports teens faced with chronic family stress have higher blood pressure and worse immune response to bacterial infections. However, those who used cognitive reappraisal had lower blood pressure, despite the pressures they faced. Read More
Researchers have identified a new neural mechanism that contributes to long term stress and PTSD. The study reports the mechanism is mediated by brain fluid in areas associated with stress response. Read More
Gene expression is influence by gamers' degree of social connectedness to others, researchers report. For those with online gaming addiction, the gene expression can lead to chronic stress. Read More
In mice, social stress can increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease and shorten life span, researchers report. Read More
Researchers report running can help mitigate the impact chronic stress has on the hippocampus. Read More