- Chronic stress, from events like COVID-19, causes damage to the circuits in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus
   - Includes the breakdown do dendrites impairing neuron action
      - Dendrites are responsible for received signals
   - Damage to the hippocampus impairs memory
   - The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher order thinking

Michigan State University

Response to prolonged periods of psychological stress (that can lead to poor mental health) involving the endocrine system and its release of corticosteroids, which increases over time as a result of this.

Chronic Stress is the result in an Overactivation of the HPA-axis

Goldfarb, E. V. (2020). Participant stress in the COVID-19 era and beyond. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 21(12), 663-664.

Participant Stress In The COVID-19 Era And Beyond

Physiological Impact of Chronic Stress from COVID-19

The release of glucocorticoids, following the body's stress response, bind to receptors in the hippocampus (associated with memory functioning). Extended release of this hormone, brought upon by chronic stress, can compromise the structure of this hippocampus region.

Effect of Chronic Stress on Memory

Socioeconomic Status (SES) can be used to predict the likelihood that an individual will develop chronic stress. This is because individuals adverse economic experiences often result in repeated encounters with stress.

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