March 8, 2023 – People who live under high levels of stress usually tend to lose cognitive function, affecting their memory, pondering, learning and concentration, based on a brand new study.
According to the study published in, those affected by high stress levels have a 37 percent higher risk of cognitive decline, even when other lifestyle aspects are taken under consideration. JAMA network opened.
Stress poses risks to physical health, akin to the next risk of stroke, and might contribute to unhealthy lifestyle habits akin to smoking. Researchers found that it not only manifests itself in cognitive problems (akin to forgetting a standard word), but also can make those problems worse.
“Stress not only worsens your current perception, but can also have harmful effects in the long term,” said Dr. Ambar Kulshreshtha CNNHe is an associate professor of preventive medicine and epidemiology at Emory University and co-author of the study.
Cognitive abilities are general mental abilities that include logical pondering, problem solving, planning, abstract pondering, understanding complex ideas, and learning from experience.
The study followed nearly 25,000 black and white Americans over the age of 45 through the years. The authors wrote: “Participants were recruited from 2003 to 2007 and followed up annually. Data were collected by telephone, self-administered questionnaires, and a home examination. Statistical analysis was conducted from May 2021 to March 2022.”
Stress is certainly one of a few dozen modifiable aspects that may increase an individual's risk of dementia. The researchers called for testing and efforts to scale back stress.
Yale psychology professor Amy Arnsten, PhD, told CNN that the connection between stress and cognitive abilities is a “vicious cycle.”
“These stress signaling pathways are released and quickly impair the higher cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex, which include working memory, for example,” said Arnsten, who was not involved in the brand new study.
“Chronic stress actually causes a loss of gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, and unfortunately, it is precisely in the regions that are involved in inhibiting the stress response and that make it clear to you that you need help.”