Dr Linda Mah of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care in Toronto, Canada, has carried out an evaluation of published research on the affect of stress and anxiety on the various parts of our brain. Dr Mah and her team found that excessive stress can result in certain modification in the brain, leading to depression and Alzheimer. The evaluation revealed that constant stress and anxiety can harm the primary areas of the brain that are responsible for emotional responses, thinking and memory.

"Pathological anxiety and chronic stress are associated with structural degeneration and impaired functioning of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which may account for the increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and dementia," said Dr Mah, the lead author of the review paper.

The evaluation involved compilation of the outcomes from several recent researches on the stress and panic conditioning in animals as well as humans that are undertaking brain scans. The team particularly evaluated the neural circuits that are associated with fright and anxiety in the amygdala, PFC and hippocampus areas of brain. An oscillating trend was recorded in the amygdale and PFC areas, when subjected to chronic stress in association with emotional responses, the former became over active and the latter became under active.

The researchers discovered that in the case of constant anxiety, fear and stress, the immune, metabolic and cardiovascular systems can get strongly damaged, thereby injuring the brain.

However, she added that proper treatment with anti-depressant medications and physical activity can be instrumental in boosting rejuvenation of the hippocampus. She advised that further studies must be carried out on determining whether the measures like exercise, mindfulness training and cognitive behavioural therapy can be instrumental in reducing stress and also on a more positive note, can curb the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders.