The effects of stress across the lifespan on the brain, cognition and mental health: A UK biobank study

This UK Biobank study investigated how stress across the lifespan affects brain structure, cognitive performance, and mental health. Using MRI scans and cognitive assessments from over 5,000 participants, researchers found that stress in childhood and adulthood leads to changes in brain microstructure, particularly in the hippocampus and thalamic regions, which are critical for memory and emotion regulation. Stress was associated with reduced cognitive abilities (e.g., working memory, processing speed) and increased mental health issues, with sex-specific differences in brain changes. These findings highlight the long-term impact of stress on brain health and underline the need for targeted stress-management strategies.

Reduce stress's impact by adopting stress-management techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and therapy, especially during critical periods like childhood. These strategies may protect brain structure and improve cognitive resilience. Given the study's robust sample size and advanced imaging methods, the findings strongly support implementing these practices, though individual responses to interventions may vary.