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Is amygdala size correlated with stress?
M Canbolat1, M F Erbay2, D Şenol3
1Department of Anatomy, İnönü University, Malatya, Turkey. mustafa.canbolat@inonu.edu.tr.
Folia Morphologica
|August 23, 2020
Summary
This study found no significant link between amygdala size and stress hormone levels in male students. Amygdala volume did not predict saliva cortisol levels during exam stress.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates the body's stress response.
- The amygdala plays a role in activating the HPA axis.
- Individual differences in stress reactivity are observed, prompting investigation into anatomical correlates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between amygdala volume and physiological stress markers.
- To compare amygdala size with saliva cortisol levels in a student population under stress.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-three male students underwent magnetic resonance imaging to determine amygdala volume.
- Saliva samples were collected twice: 20 days before and on the day of final exams.
- Cortisol levels in saliva were analyzed to assess physiological stress response.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant correlation was identified between amygdala volume and saliva cortisol levels.
- The size of the amygdala did not predict stress hormone levels in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Amygdala volume is not a significant predictor of acute stress response as measured by saliva cortisol levels in male students.
- Further research may be needed to explore other factors influencing individual stress reactivity.
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