Brain shrinks from stress
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh found that parts of the brain shrink because of stress. Alasdair MJ MacLullich and co. looked at the anterior cingulate cortex, which responsible for controlling stress hormones. After analzing hormone levels and brain volume in two groups of volunteers, ten healthy males ages 65-70 each, they found that those with the smaller anterior cingulate cortex experienced more stress. This area usually shrinks with age and may be a cause depression and Alzheimer’s disease. What’s weird is that our environments can alter the very physical composition of our brains. MacLullich said that "the discovery deepens doctors’ understand of ageing, depression and Alzheimer’s diseases, and will help in the development of treatments based on reducing high levels of stress hormones."
Scientists gain new understanding of age-related depression and dementia, EurekAlert.org