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Amygdala Reactivity

All articles tagged with #amygdala reactivity

neuroscience1 year ago

Neurological Effects of Living in Violent Neighborhoods

Children living in violent neighborhoods show increased amygdala reactivity, indicating heightened sensitivity to threats, which can impact mental health and socioemotional functioning. Nurturing parenting can protect against these effects, reducing exposure to community violence and its impact on the brain. The study involved functional MRI scans of 708 children and teens, demonstrating that supportive parental relationships can act as a buffer against the negative influences of environmental stressors. This research underscores the crucial role of parental support in fostering resilience among youth facing neighborhood adversity.

neuroscience2 years ago

Adversity Exposure Linked to Mental Health Issues in Meta-Analysis of 83 MRI Studies

A meta-analysis of 83 functional MRI studies suggests a link between prior adversity exposure and altered brain reactivity. The analysis revealed that individuals with a history of adversity showed higher amygdala reactivity and lower prefrontal cortex reactivity, which are associated with threat detection and emotional control. The findings highlight the potential impact of adversity on emotional processing and coping mechanisms. Additionally, the study found differences in brain reactivity between trauma-related adversities and moderate adversities, suggesting that the nature and severity of adversity may have distinct effects on brain function. However, the study had limitations, such as not controlling for substance abuse and a lack of clarity regarding the presence of traumas in the analyzed cohort.