A study conducted by researchers out of Stanford University Medical Center in California indicates that children who are exposed to severe stress (i.e., physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, witnessing violence or experiencing lasting separation and loss) are more likely to have a shrunken hippocampus.

As pointed out in previous posts, the hippocampus is the “memory engine” of the brain. A weak hippocampus means poor memory ability.

Study author Victor Carrion, MD notes: “Although everyday levels of stress are necessary to stimulate normal brain development, excess levels can be harmful”.

As far as the underlying pathophysiology, the authors further discuss how severe stress increases blood cortisol levels. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid type hormone, and many studies in the past have shown how cortisol is neurotoxic to hippocampal brain cells.

An earlier post also details how Perception of Control determines the extent to which stress is toxic to your brain and body. Children, unfortunately, are much less likely to feel they’re in control of situations. Joe Herbet, professor of neuroscience at Cambridge University notes:

There is increasing evidence that adversity in early life can have long-lasting results on subsequent mental and physical health

Although I probably wouldn’t recommend this for your kids, if you have a few minutes to spare, the Interactive Buddy is a great stress reducer.

[Reference for Stanford research on stress and the pediatric brain: PEDIATRICS Vol. 119 No. 3 March 2007, pp. 509-516]

Posted: Tuesday, March 6th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Categories: Brain, Brain Busters, Brain Injury, Memory Loss, Smartkit All Posts, Stress Reduction.