Scientists have discovered fresh clues as to why some people are more prone to stress than others.
In a study of mice, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center determined that weeks after experiencing a stressful event, animals that were more susceptible to stress exhibited enhanced neurogenesis - the birth of new nerve cells in the brain.
Stress and the Gender Divide
Stress has become entwined in the current lifestyle of a young working couple and has resulted in the rise in incidence of hypertension, diabetes and psychosomatic illnesses.
Stress has become entwined in the current lifestyle of a young working couple and has resulted in the rise in incidence of hypertension, diabetes and psychosomatic illnesses.
In addition, when researchers prevented neurogenesis in both stress-susceptible and resilient mice, the animals previously susceptible to stress became more resilient.
"This work shows that there is a period of time during which it may be possible to alter memories relevant to a social situation by manipulating adult-generated nerve cells in the brain," said Dr. Amelia Eisch, associate professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern and senior author of the study.
"This could eventually lead to a better understanding of why, in humans, there is an enormous variety of responses to stressful situations," Eisch added.
The study appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Anxiety Disorder - Types - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about actual circumstances, events or conflicts. Anyone can develop this disorder. Genes may play a role.
Anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about actual circumstances, events or conflicts. Anyone can develop this disorder. Genes may play a role.
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