Emory researcher claims stress-induced changes in brain can create psychiatric...( ected in 80% of epilepsy cases. Subseq...),Health

Bremner emphasizes in his book that all bodily functions are linked in one way or another to the brain. In a stressful situation, the brain automatically sends signals that release hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. The heart pumps faster; blood pressure goes up; and blood flow shifts to parts of the body that need it the most such as the brain and muscles so we can think fast and fight or run. If the brain overcharges for a prolonged period of time in response to stressful stimuli, the body does not have a chance to recuperate and the results can be deadly. "If stress has effects on the brain and neurological function, then stress has effects on all parts of the body including the heart, blood vessels, the immune system, and the digestive system," says Bremner. "The long list of damaging effects can include heart disease, memory impairment, depression, and even increased susceptibility to stroke and cancer."

"Knowledge is power." Dr. Bremner adds. "Our patients will benefit from a greater knowledge of the potential effects of stress on mind, body and spirit. It is essential that physicians talk to their patients and determine what is going on in their lives before making a diagnosis."

Dr. Bremner's background includes degrees in both psychiatry and neuroradiology, fueled by an intense fascination with the link between trauma and its biological effects. With the help of advanced PET technology, Bremner and his team of Emory researchers continue to peer into the brains of individuals with PTSD hoping to further determine the relationship between trauma and functionality, so that future victims can be cured. At Emory, he is director of the Center for Positron Emission Tomography and assistant professor of psychiatry and beh
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Contact: Kathi Ovnic Baker
kobaker@emory.edu
404-727-9371
Emory University Health Sciences Center
20-Aug-2002