What does increased hippocampal volume mean?

What does increased hippocampal volume mean?

Increased hippocampal volume translates to improved memory function and higher serum BDNF. We also demonstrate that higher fitness levels are protective against loss of hippocampal volume.

Why is hippocampal volume important?

This study reports that in healthy young males hippocampal volume is positively associated with declarative memory performance as tested by the CVLT. Measures of short-delay retention, long-delay retention and discriminability were significantly positively correlated with percent hippocampal volume.

How does childhood trauma affect the hippocampus?

The researchers found that children with post-traumatic stress disorder and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol were likely to experience a decrease in the size of the hippocampus—a brain structure important in memory processing and emotion. …

What diseases affect the hippocampus?

The following are some of the common conditions in which atrophy of human hippocampus has been reported:

  • Alzheimer’s disease[5,6,8,66] Atrophy of hippocampal region in brains is one of the most consistent features of AD.
  • Epilepsy[3,6,8]
  • Hypertension[3,6,8]
  • Cushing’s Disease[3,6]
  • Miscellaneous Causes[3,6,8]

Does alcohol damage the hippocampus?

The researchers found that moderate drinking over those 30-plus years was associated with degeneration and shrinking of the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in memory and navigation, as well degeneration of the brain’s white matter.

What happens to the hippocampus when stressed?

Neurally, animal studies have revealed that stress alters ensuing synaptic plasticity and firing properties of hippocampal neurons. Structurally, human and animal studies have shown that stress changes neuronal morphology, suppresses neuronal proliferation, and reduces hippocampal volume.

Is the hippocampal region affected by adolescent alcohol use disorders?

Objective: Alcohol use disorders (defined as DSM-IV alcohol dependence or abuse) are prevalent and serious problems among adolescents. As adolescence is marked by progressive hippocampal development, this brain region may be particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of adolescent alcohol use disorders.

Is alcohol use associated with global brain dysmorphology?

Hippocampal volume in adolescent-onset alcohol use disorders In the mature brain, chronic alcohol use disorders are associated with graded global brain dysmorphology.

Can magnetic resonance imaging measure alcohol use disorders in the brain?

Method: Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the hippocampal volumes and volumes of comparison brain regions in 12 subjects with alcohol use disorders and 24 comparison subjects matched on age, sex, and handedness.