Stress Effects on Structure and Function of Hippocampus

Module 2 – SLP
CHRONIC STRESS AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE
Continue your investigation of the effects of stress on brain function and behavior. Read more
about the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex in these articles:
“How to Prevent Stress from Shrinking Your Brain” in Psychology Today
“Stress Effects on Structure and Function of Hippocampus,” by the Rockefeller University
Instructions: Answer the following questions in paragraph format to write an essay about the
findings reported by these articles:
Introduction Paragraph:
First, do some research on how the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex
communicateand result in normal behavioral response. You will begin your reading on the
amygdala by following the previous link. After reading this section, click on the following
link: several other structures in the brain to read about the interactions between these three
regions. Briefly describe this pathway and the behavior that results from the interaction of these
regions, using 2-3 sentences. This will help you to introduce the content that you will address in
the sections below.
Body Paragraph 1
Summarize the effects of glucocorticoids on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex reported in
the article How to Prevent Stress from Shrinking Your Brain.
Body Paragraphs 2 and 3
What effect on hippocampal cells have stress hormones had in recent studies described by Stress
Effects on Structure and Function of Hippocampus? What effect have they had on the amygdala
in studies? What are the implications of these effects? HINT: What are the functions of the
regions and how might they be affected by changes in their structure?
Body Paragraph 4
What is neurogenesis and where does it occur in the brain? What effect on the regeneration of
hippocampal cells is reported in the previous article? What is the mechanism? Conclusion Paragraph 1
Summarize the effects of cortisol on this pathway by describing how PTSD can result from
perpetuated cortisol release and how this can result in depression by activating and/or
reinforcing depression pathways.
Conclusion Paragraph 2
Describe the methods proposed to counteract the negative effects of chronic stress in How to
Prevent Stress from Shrinking Your Brain.
SLP Assignment Expectations
For this assignment, write an essay using the outline above. You are provided with many
scholarly references to complete this assignment. Use APA formatting for your sources and
include a References section that lists these and any additional sources you used. For any
additional research you are required to do to complete your assignment, please use scholarly
references such as a peer-reviewed journal article or a government-sponsored or universitysponsored website. As you read through your sources, take notes and then write your paper in
your own words, describing what you have learned from your research. Direct quotes should be
limited and must be designated by quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the
original author, for example (Murray, 2014