Researchers From Japan Discovered How To “Turn Off” Brain Cells That Cause Stress Responses
Most people have suffered from feeling completely stressed out. You may have even launched into a spiral of overthinking. Did you ever wish that you could “turn off” your brain during those uncomfortable times?
Well, this figure of speech could very well become a reality. Researchers from Osaka University in Japan just published a groundbreaking study in which they identified a cluster of brain cells that precisely control stress-related responses.
It is no secret that prolonged stress can cause and exacerbate many detrimental health conditions– including mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders, as well as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Still, until this study was published in Science Advances, the exact origin and process of stress responses remained unknown.
The researchers conducted their study on mice and, through microscopic imaging, identified specific brain cells in the claustrum that control anxiety behaviors in response to stress.
In humans, the claustrum is located deep inside the middle-back of the brain and makes up just .25% of the cerebral cortex’s volume.
When the researchers “activated” these cells, the mice reacted anxiously. However, the researchers were also able to “deactivate” the cells, and, amazingly, the mice adapted better in the face of chronic stress.
Thus, the study concluded that the claustrum is instrumental in managing behavioral stress responses.
Hitoshi Hashimoto, the study’s senior author, explained how this finding has tremendous implications for stress management in humans.
denisismagilov – stock.adobe.com
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
“Inactivation of stress-responsive claustrum neurons can serve as at least a partially preventative measure for the emergence of depression-like behavior, and, moreover, for stress susceptibility to increase resilience to emotional stress,” Hashimoto said.
In the future, scientists may be able to translate this cell-deactivation technique to humans in order to treat anxiety-related disorders at the source while providing a more well-rounded picture of how stress disorders work.
How amazing would it be to finally “turn off” those uneasy feelings once and for all?
To read the complete scientific study, visit the link here.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe.
More About:Human Interest