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How do violent events impact one’s brain health?
Hernando Santamaria-Garcia, M.D., Ph.D.
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Bogotá, Colombia
Background
Studies have shown that stress can disrupt brain nerve cell networks, including those involved in brain function. Over time, these disruptions in nerve cell networks can accumulate and cause long-term brain damage. Additionally, intense stress can lead to brain changes that are similar to early brain aging and may put individuals at a higher risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s development. However, the impact of violence-related stress on brain health, aging, and Alzheimer’s risk remain largely unknown.
Research Plan
Dr. Santamaria-Garica and colleagues will study the impact of long-term violence on brain health in individuals living in Columbia. They will recruit 150 military veterans aged 50 and older individuals living in urban and rural regions for the study. The team will administer questionnaires and surveys to associate violence-related stress to cognition, social functioning, as well as psychiatric symptoms for each individual.
Impact
This study could provide key insight into how exposure to violence and subsequent stress impacts overall brain health. If successful, these results could lead to development of key resources and programs to improve brain health for individuals exposed to violence.
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