<p>There is little evidence that stress affects structural MRI (reduction in the volume of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus">hippocampus</a>). The review article (<em>Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition</em> <a href="https://sciencegallery.com/memory/files/papers/Lupien_et_al_2009.pdf">Lupien et al., 2009</a>) synthesizes the current knowledge in the field. Another article might be of interest (<a href="http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~jdbremn/papers/metaanalysis.pdf">MRI measurement of hippocampal volume in post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis</a>). </p>

<p>If you are interested in functional MRI and day-to-day stress, even less is known. The study  (<a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/102/49/17804.long">Perfusion functional MRI reveals cerebral blood flow pattern under psychological stress</a>) shows that ventral RPFC (right prefrontal cortex) activation is specifically associated with psychological stress, and this activity persists even beyond the stress-task period.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-05T22:52:03.847Z
2013-08-05T22:52:03.847Z
marsei
<p>How does stress damage the brain (if at all)? Is it akin to taking drugs, heavy drinking, or a minor stroke? </p>

<p>Would an fMRI of a stressed person present evidence of stress? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-05T11:43:32.260Z
@Damien: I was thinking about day-to-day stress, but any related information would be appreciated.
Quora Feans
<neuroscience><well-being><stress><brain-injury>
Can stress be detected by an fMRI?
Quora Feans
# Can stress be detected by an fMRI?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-08-04)

How does stress damage the brain (if at all)? Is it akin to taking drugs, heavy drinking, or a minor stroke?

Would an fMRI of a stressed person present evidence of stress?

**Tags:** neuroscience, well-being, stress, brain-injury

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @Damien: I was thinking about day-to-day stress, but any related information would be appreciated.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-08-05. Score: 5

There is little evidence that stress affects structural MRI (reduction in the volume of the [hippocampus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus)). The review article (*Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition* [Lupien et al., 2009](https://sciencegallery.com/memory/files/papers/Lupien_et_al_2009.pdf)) synthesizes the current knowledge in the field. Another article might be of interest ([MRI measurement of hippocampal volume in post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis](http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~jdbremn/papers/metaanalysis.pdf)).

If you are interested in functional MRI and day-to-day stress, even less is known. The study ([Perfusion functional MRI reveals cerebral blood flow pattern under psychological stress](http://www.pnas.org/content/102/49/17804.long)) shows that ventral RPFC (right prefrontal cortex) activation is specifically associated with psychological stress, and this activity persists even beyond the stress-task period.


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