Functional consequences of stress-related suppression of adult hippocampal neurogenesis - a novel hypothesis on the neurobiology of burnout.
BACKGROUND
Burnout is generally recognized as a work-related stress-induced condition associated with memory problems, fatigue, a sense of inadequacy, and depressed mood. Neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons in the human adult brain, provides a newly discovered dimension of brain plasticity.


OBJECTIVE
In a novel theory, we propose that the failure of adult hippocampal neurogenesis may provide the biological and cellular basis for altered brain plasticity in stress-related syndromes like burnout.


METHODS
A number of recent animal studies have shown that the rate of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus may provide an important neurobiological correlate to the symptoms of stress.


RESULTS
As of yet, the normal physiological function of new neurons in the adult hippocampus remains unresolved although a number of studies and reviews indicate the importance of neurogenesis for memory and learning.


CONCLUSIONS
In line with this hypothesis, we propose burnout to be an exponent of stress-mediated decrease in adult neurogenesis leading to a decreased ability to cope with stress through decreased hippocampal function possibly involving a disturbed hippocampal regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis).
The Arvid Carlsson Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University Blå Stråket 7, Sahlgrenska University Hospital SE-413 45, Göteborg, Sweden. per@neuro.gu.se
P S
PS
Eriksson
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L
Wallin
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*