Memory Loss Due to Stress

A study has revealed that stress can trigger memory loss and affect grey cells which are connected with memory. Stress seems to affect the prefrontal cortex and it is possible to even forget what we were up to just moments before, reveals the study.

The neurons of the prefrontal cortex help with storage of information for short periods. The manner in which neurons access the short-term information leaves them open to stress.

While observing rats working through a maze, scientists found that under stress, neurons in the rats’ brains got even more active. The neurons were not retaining information important to completing the maze.  Surprisingly, they were reacting to other unimportant things.

Professor Craig Berridge, who carried out the study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said: 'It had been believed stress simply suppressed prefrontal cortex activity. These studies demonstrate that rather than suppressing activity, stress modifies the nature of that activity.'



Source-Medindia