Zurich scientists find link between stress and the brain
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jc
A neurotransmitter called noradrenaline, which is produced in large quantities during stressful situations, reconfigures communications within the brain, Zurich researchers have found.
In moments of acute stress our brain has just a split second to react, explains Swiss federal technology institute ETH Zurich in a press releaseExternal link. The brain focuses attention on the most important environmental cues in order to make life-or-death decisions in fractions of a second, which means efficient communication must be quickly established between various areas of the brain.
So far it has been unclear how the brain guides these rapid processes. Tests on humans suggested a major role for noradrenaline, but it is not possible to directly examine this theory in people because noradrenaline release cannot be selectively manipulated.
Tests on mice have now allowed the researchers to prove for the first time that a release of noradrenaline was itself enough to connect various regions of the brain very quickly.
ETH Zurich says the scientists “applied the latest genetic tricks to stimulate a tiny centre in the mouse brain, the locus coeruleus, which supplies the entire brain with noradrenaline”. They performed real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the anaesthetised animals’ brains while triggering noradrenaline release from the locus coeruleus.
In what are described as “astonishing results”, the researchers found that selective noradrenaline release re-wired the connectivity patterns between different brain regions in a way that was similar to the changes observed in humans under acute stress.
“Our results show that modern imaging techniques in animal models can reveal correlations that allow us to understand fundamental brain functions in humans,” says ETH Zurich researcher Johannes Bohacek. The researchers hope to use similar analyses in humans to diagnose pathological hyperactivity of the noradrenaline system, which is associated with anxiety and panic disorders.
Brain overload and faulty judgment cause most road accidents
This content was published on
Almost all road accidents in Switzerland are due to human errors of judgment or analysis in the preceding moments, a recent study found.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How flute music helps to build brains of premature babies
This content was published on
Swiss scientists have reported positive effects of tailor-made music on developing neural networks of premature babies.
Starmus, a rare constellation of intelligence and talent
This content was published on
The six-day festival in Zurich, Starmus, was the stuff of dreams for space enthusiasts – but why was the attendance so low?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.