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.
Chronic stress during pregnancy increases neuroinflammation. The immune changes may create circumstances in the brain, which increase susceptibility to postnatal depression.
Early life stress alone impairs hippocampal development. Stress, in addition to maternal mistreatment within the first few weeks of life, also hinders amygdala development.
Deep sleep restores the medial prefrontal cortex mechanisms that restore emotion. This lowers emotional and physiological reactivity, preventing the escalation of stress and anxiety.
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.
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.
Chronic stress which involves the HPA axis may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.
Using chemogenetic technology to deactivate a small group of neurons in the claustrum made mice more resilient against chronic stress and reduced anxiety behaviors.
People who experience chronic stress are more forgiving toward others than those who experience everyday stresses.
91% of parents say their family is less stressed when they eat together, and 64% of adults report they wish they could share a meal together with their families more often. Researchers say connecting with others, stress reduction, and taking time to slow down are the biggest benefits of a shared family meal time.
Chronic stress invokes irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in mouse models.
Anhedonia and depression arise when POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus become hyperactive as a result of chronic stress. Reducing the activity also reduces feelings of depression and loss of pleasure.
