Analyzing the Impact of Chronic Stress on Hippocampal Function: A Systematic Review

RESUMO

Mawadah Mohammed Hassan jannah*, Moamen Abdelfadil Ismail

Background: Chronic stress alters hippocampal structure and function, leading to memory deficits and increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders (McEwen, 2000; Lupien et al., 2009). Purpose: This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 25 peer-reviewed studies to examine how chronic stress impacts the hippocampus at morphological, molecular, and behavioral levels.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar using keywords such as “chronic stress,” “hippocampus,” “HPA axis,” and “memory impairment.” Studies were included if they were empirical (spanning animal models, human neuroimaging, and clinical cohorts) and measured specific hippocampal outcomes. Data extraction and quality assessments were performed by two independent reviewers, and results were integrated using a narrative synthesis approach (Kim & Diamond, 2002; Sapolsky, 1996).

Results: The review revealed that chronic stress is associated with reduced hippocampal volume, impaired synaptic plasticity, and deficits in memory performance. Elevated glucocorticoid levels appear to play a pivotal role in initiating neurotoxic effects that lead to morphological and functional changes (Bremner et al., 2003; Vyas et al., 2002).

Discussion: Findings from both animal and human studies converge on the detrimental effects of chronic stress on hippocampal integrity, highlighting the role of stress hormones and the potential reversibility of some alterations with timely interventions.

Conclusion: The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of early stress management strategies and suggests therapeutic targets for alleviating hippocampal dysfunction in stress-related disorders.