the effects of stress and the brain
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Understanding the Impact of Stress on Brain Development and Learning
![Page 2: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Merriam-Webster define stress as:
A physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension
![Page 3: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Acute stress is general short-term with a clearly defined beginning and end
Chronic stress is long-term and prolonged stress with no clear ending
Both acute and chronic stress trigger the physiological stress response
![Page 4: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Triggering of the sympathetic nervous system which prepares the body to deal with perceived threat by: ◦ Increase of heart rate and blood pressure
◦ Increase of cortisol – “stress” hormone which has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties
◦ Decline of parasympathetic activity which regulates “automatic” bodily functions and maintains homestasis
![Page 5: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
![Page 6: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
◦ Shorter form of the serotonin transporter is associated with vulnerability to increased response to stress by developing depressive illness and alcoholism
![Page 7: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
◦ An allele of the monoamine oxidase A gene result in more vulnerability to abuse in childhood, increased risk of becoming an abuser & show antisocial behaviors.
![Page 8: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Early abuse can result in life long emotional reactivity and stress hormone reactivity –both associated with cognitive decline and shorter lifespan in animal studies
![Page 9: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Stress reduction in infants can be influenced by maternal bonding through a variety of factors◦ Physical proximity
◦ Modeling
Early patterns “hard-wire” the stress response –critical period during 1st nine months
![Page 10: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Males most typically mirror the fight or flight response
Females engage fight or flight AND befriend
![Page 11: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
There is an inverted relationship between learning and levels of cortisol
During acute stress, higher levels of cortisol result in: ◦ Enhanced immunity
◦ Enhanced memory
During chronic or prolonged stress, the increased levels of cortisol result in:
◦ lower immune response
◦ Impaired cognitive functioning
![Page 12: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
The Hippocampus is the brain structure primarily responsible for learning and memory
The Hippocampus is highly sensitive and malleable
Cortisol decreases and retracts the dendritic growth in the hippocampal area
![Page 13: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Within the Hippocampus, is the dentate gyrus, a structure which seems to play a role in the memory of sequences of events
It has high plasticity and is constantly producing new neurons, even throughout adult life.
Certain types of stress suppress neurogenesis and cell survival in the dentate gyrus
![Page 14: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Cortisol inhibits long-term potentiation – cell sensitivity in communication
Adolescent brain is more receptive to long-term potentiation without interference
![Page 15: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Repeated or chronic stress causes dendritic shortening in the medial prefrontal cortex
The results in impairment in attention set shifting
![Page 16: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Both acute and chronic stress produce dendritic growth in neurons in the amygdala.
The results of include: ◦ Increases anxiety
◦ Increased aggression
![Page 17: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
In animal research, chronic stress causes atrophy of neurons in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
and
Hypertrophy of neurons in the amygdala
Results: ◦ Decreased learning and memory
◦ Increased anxiety and aggression
![Page 18: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
The results from animal studies are mirrored in humans through a loss of hippocampal volume and an increase in amygdala volume in MRI studies
PET scans also demonstrate altered patterns of activity in the related brain areas during stress
![Page 19: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Learn stress management – variety of techniques
Problem-focused –changing the stressor
Emotion focused –changes our response to the stressor
![Page 20: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Physical
Cognitive
Emotional
Behavioral
![Page 21: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Physical Techniques:
Exercise Meditation
Relaxation
![Page 22: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Cognitive Techniques:
Social Comparisons Re-Evaluation
Distraction
![Page 23: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Emotional Techniques:
Social Support Release
Laughter
![Page 24: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Behavioral Techniques:
Helping Others
![Page 25: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Optimism is associated with lower cortisol production and higher heart rate variability (showing higher parasympathetic activity)
Optimistic people are, on average, healthier and live longer than pessimistic people
Optimistic people have higher levels of life satisfaction
![Page 26: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Poor self-esteem has debilitating effects: ◦ Increased levels of cortisol
◦ Inability to regulate cortisol levels under stress
◦ 12-13% loss of hippocampal volume
![Page 27: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Improve sleep quality and quantity
Have a good social support system
Maintain a positive outlook on life
Maintain a healthy diet
Avoid smoking
Regularly exercise – moderate activity
Build positive self-esteem
Learn successful stress management
![Page 28: The Effects of Stress And The Brain](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052303/540001368d7f728b408b45b9/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
McEwen, B.S. Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators: central role of the brain. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998, 338: 171-179