Stress and Its Effect on the Brain and Body. Excessive human stress is widely regarded as a contributing factor to, or a cause of, numerous physical and mental diseases. This topic requires you to address the neurobiological mechanisms associated with the stress response, and how the brain responds to stress. In particular, you will need to identify how stress hormones can impede the well-being and normal functioning of the brain. Further, this topic should include an examination of the effects of stress on the functioning of specific brain structures such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and/or amygdala.
1 proposal/Outline page paper on the topic.
12 to 15 double-spaced wordprocessed pages. Note that this does not include title pages, reference pages, figures, and appendices. The typical font size is 12 point (minimum acceptable size is 11 point) and the font style is Times New Roman.
Clear, concise introduction and rationale. Thorough coverage of material. Extensively and appropriately referenced with primary scientific sources. Well-organized and planned material. Demonstrated knowledge, comprehension, evaluation, and integration of material. Conclusions are clear and logical with well-founded recommendations for further research. Excellent writing style, presentation, and formatting.
The hippocampus provided the gateway into much of what we have learned about stress and brain structural and functional plasticity, and this initial focus has expanded to other interconnected brain regions, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
Starting with the discovery of adrenal steroid, and later, estrogen receptors in the hippocampal formation, and subsequent discovery of dendritic and spine synapse remodeling and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, mechanistic studies have revealed both genomic and rapid non-genomic actions of circulating steroid hormones in the brain. Many of these actions occur epigenetically and result in ever-changing patterns of gene expression, in which there are important sex differences that need further exploration.
Moreover, glucocorticoid and estrogen actions occur synergistically with an increasing number of cellular mediators that help determine the qualitative nature of the response.
The hippocampus has also been a gateway to understanding lasting epigenetic effects of early-life experiences.
These findings in animal models have resulted in translation to the human brain and have helped change thinking about the nature of brain malfunction in psychiatric disorders and during aging, as well as the mechanisms of the effects of early-life adversity on the brain and the body.
