Chronic Stress Weakens Connectivity in the Prefrontal Cortex . . . Chronic exposure to uncontrollable stress causes loss of spines and dendrites in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a recently evolved brain region that provides top-down regulation of thought, action, and emotion PFC neurons generate top-down goals through recurrent excitatory connections on spines
The Role of Prefrontal Cortex in Managing Stress Stress is a natural response to perceived threats or challenges, triggering a cascade of physiological changes in your body When faced with stressors, your brain releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing you for a fight-or-flight response