Mental health professional have long wondered about the role of the brain in one's ability to deal with stress. An article published in Medical News Today, March 4, 2009, examines this issue. The article reports on a study published in the March 1st 2009 online edition of Nature Neuroscience.The researchers "...Using a rat model, ...discovered that neurons in the hypothalamus, the brain's command center for stress responses, interpret 'off' chemical signals as 'on' chemical signals when stress is perceived....Normally, neurons receive different chemical signals that tell them to either switch on or switch off. The off signal or brake only works if the levels of chloride ion in the cells are maintained at a low level....This is accomplished by a protein, known as KCC2....stress turns down the activity of KCC2, thus removing the ability of the brake, a chemical known as GABA, to work properly. A loss of the brain's ability to slow down may explain some of the harmful, emotional consequences of stress." The implications of this study are significant. First, the results of the study open up new thinking about the theories of the stress response and new avenues of research of how to best adapt and prevent and the harmful effects of stress. The researchers note that "..Chronic stress takes a physical and emotional toll on our bodies and scientists are working on piecing together a medical puzzle to understand how we respond to stress at the cellular level in the brain. Being able to quickly and successfully respond to stress is essential for survival." Second, the results of the study show that one's inability to successfully respond to stressful situations is not just a psychological weakness or failing but a biological inability to adapt to stressful situations.
The Bottom Line: The results of this study strongly suggest that a defective brain protein impairs the ability to deal successfully with stress.
Source: Orginal Article
Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates of New England