The effects of stress on memory and the hippocampus throughout the life cycle : implications for childhood development and aging

Studies in animals showing hippocampal atrophy and associated memory deficits in stress and aging have implications for stress and aging in humans. Clinical studies in traumatized human populations with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have replicated studies in animals, showing reduction in volume of the hippocampus measured with magnetic resonance imaging and associated memory deficits. Trauma at different stages of development (early childhood abuse versus trauma in later life due to combat) may influence the nature of memory deficits and hippocampal atrophy. Studies in aging human subjects are consistent with animal studies, although future research is needed in this area. The similarities between biological findings related to cortisol and the hippocampus in stress and aging in both animal and human studies raises the question of whether PTSD can be seen as a form of accelerated aging. Evidence that stress affects the hippocampus and the capacity for learning has broad implications for public health policy, underlying the need for additional resources in this important area and a reexamination of our understanding of factors influencing academic achievement.

Medienart:

Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

1998

Erschienen:

1998

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:10

Enthalten in:

Development and psychopathology - 10(1998), 4 vom: 11., Seite 871-85

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Bremner, J D [VerfasserIn]
Narayan, M [VerfasserIn]

Themen:

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Review

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 22.03.1999

Date Revised 02.11.2019

published: Print

Citation Status MEDLINE

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM098214969