According to a study recently published in a prestigious medical distribution, people with Working overload showed significant changes in brain areas associated with executive function and emotional regulation.
For the time being, this study provides evidence that surplus work is associated with structural changes in the brain, especially in regions related to cognition and emotion, and that The younger the patients, even worse, they carry the issue of stress.
These findings offer new neurobiological evidence Need for more research to understand the cognitive and emotional implications in the long term of excess work.
Excessive work = changes in the brain structure?
Many hours could work Cause structural changes in the brainEspecially in regions that are involved in emotional regulation and executive functions, such as working memory and problem solving, according to a new study. The Results, still for the time being, have been published in the magazine Professional and environmental medicine.
Korean researchers analyzed brain images of Health workers work long -term days “Defined like 52 hours a week or more,” and observed significant changes in important brain areas, compared to those who meet a standard schedule.
Numerous studies have linked the long working days to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and psychological problems. In fact, the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that surplus work causes more than 800,000 deaths per year. Until now, however, little was known about the underlying neurological and anatomical mechanisms.
The youngest suffering more stress
To deepen this problem, the Equipment analyzed data from the regional cohort studio of Gachon Occupational (Grocs)aimed at health personnel, Together with magnetic resonance images carried out in the context of a project on working conditions and brain structure.
Of the 110 participants included in the final analysis, 28 % worked exaggerated. Moreover, this group was considerably younger, had less work experience and a higher level of education than those who worked standard hours.
With the help of Voxel -based morphometric techniques (VBM), the researchers have detected Volumetric differences in specific brain areas. For example, the volume of the average frontal turn (part of the frontal lob) was 19 % higher with those who worked more than 52 hours a week. This region is involved in functions such as attention, working memory and language processing.
VBM analysis has also revealed Increases in 17 other areasIncluding the upper frontal turn – clarifying in planning and decision -making – and the insula, which integrates sensory, motor and autonomous information and is linked to emotional processing and awareness of the self.
Charely when interpreting the results
Despite these findings, the authors warn that It is an observational small scale studySo a causal relationship cannot be determined. It is also not known whether the detected changes are a result of surplus work or an earlier condition.
“These results They must be carefully interpreted Because of the exploratory nature of the pilot study, “she supports.” However, they form a first relevant step to understand the relationship between surplus work and brain health. “In their opinion, the volume could reflect increase Neuroadaptive reactions to chronic work stressAlthough the exact mechanisms are still not clarified.
Researchers conclude that these changes are one Biological basis for cognitive and emotional problems That often experiences overloaded people working. And be on the need to conduct longitudinal studies and with more complete neuroimaging techniques to confirm the findings. “The study emphasizes the importance of tackling surplus work as a Problem with the health of the profession And the need for policy that limits excessive days, “they conclude.