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Chronic stress can result in the development of schizophrenia
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Experts have long proved that chronic brain stress suffers from chronic stress, in addition, it may exacerbate chronic diseases, memory impairment. Recent studies have shown that chronic stress also contributes to the development of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and leads to permanent damage to the brain cells.
The head of the new research project was Georg Jakel, a professor at the University of Bochum in Germany. He noted that various types of phagocytes, including microglia, were studied during the study. Usually phagocytes contribute to the restoration of a broken connection between nerve cells of the brain and stimulate their growth. Because of stress, microglia are activated, which leads to the onset of inflammatory processes. The more activated microglia, the longer the cells of the brain are in a destructive state, which increases the risk of mental illness, in particular schizophrenia.
As experts suggest, the problem can be defined even at the stage of embryonic development. There is a theory that an illness with flu during pregnancy can provoke an immune reaction of the fetus, which will lead to negative consequences in the development of the brain and the immunity of the unborn child.
In another study, it has been found that it is possible to reduce the force of the brain's reaction to stress if one reminds a person about love and care. Earlier it was already proved that love and care can reduce pain sensitivity.
At the University of Exter, a team of specialists conducted a study that, in their opinion, could help in the treatment of many stress-related disorders, in particular post-traumatic stress disorder.
In a new scientific project, scientists studied the brain reaction of 42 healthy volunteers to images with expressions of love and care. As a result of magnetic resonance scanning at the time of viewing the images by the participants in the experiment, the specialists determined that activity in the amygdala (brain region, which determines the reaction to stress) decreased sharply.
Also, scientists noted that after viewing images, this area of the brain did not respond to verbal threats and aggressive persons. And such a reaction was observed, even if the person inattentively examined the images.
Many mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, are characterized by increased alertness, due to the strong activity of the amygdala, negative experiences and limited possibilities for their regulation.
With a decrease in the strength of the reaction to stress, the brain copes more effectively with any stressful situations, while the person calms down more quickly, which is especially important for people with a heightened sense of anxiety.
It is established that it contributes to the development of stress, feelings of anxiety, depression, consumption of sweet, especially in large quantities. Also, the harm to the psyche can be caused by fructose, which is found in fruits, vegetables, and also added to food or drinks (ice cream, biscuits), so experts recommend not to abuse such products.
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