In pursuit of resilience: stress, epigenetics, and brain plasticity

Abstract

The brain is the central organ for adaptation to experiences, including stressors, which are capable of changing brain architecture as well as altering systemic function through neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune, and metabolic systems. Because the brain is the master regulator of these systems, as well as of behavior, alterations in brain function by chronic stress can have direct and indirect effects on cumulative allostatic overload, which refers to the cost of adaptation. There is much new knowledge on the neural control of systemic physiology and the feedback actions of physiologic mediators on brain regions regulating higher cognitive function, emotional regulation, and self-regulation. The healthy brain has a considerable capacity for resilience, based upon its ability to respond to interventions designed to open "windows of plasticity" and redirect its function toward better health. As a result, plasticity-facilitating treatments should be given within the framework of a positive behavioral intervention; negative experiences during this window may even make matters worse. Indeed, there are no magic bullets and drugs cannot substitute for targeted interventions that help an individual become resilient, of which mindfulness-based stress reduction and meditation are emerging as useful tools.

Morphological brain measures of cortico‐limbic inhibition related to resilience

“…Resilience as a trait measure can be differentiated from current affect levels in that it should be predictive of affective and biological responses to a range of stressors (Lu et al 2014; Robinson et al 2014; Schilling and Diehl 2014). In this context, although an individual’s resilience can be evidenced by examining the physical or mental state following specific stressors, it can also be assessed directly as a general trait based on self-report responses to common stressors (McEwen 2016; Osorio et al 2016). Moreover, the use of measures that tap into these resilience-related conductive traits, offer the opportunity to gain insights into broader aspects of resilience not captured by the traditional model focused on the degree of psychopathology following adversity (Windle et al 2011).…”

Lack of Social Support Raises Stress Vulnerability in Rats with a History of Ancestral Stress

“…Also, multigenerational stress may down-regulate the HPA axis activity to the level of what is commonly referred to as stress resilience when challenged with recurrent stress 42, 43 . This response represents a dynamic process activated by a potentially traumatizing prolonged event 44, 45 or even an active coping response 46 to ancestral recurrent adversities.…”

Stress Measured by Allostatic Load in Neurologically Impaired Children: The Importance of Nutritional Status

“…The cumulative increases in AL are related to chronic illness and empirical research also supports an association between greater AL and greater psychosocial stress experience [2-5]. …”