Brain Region May Govern Resilience to Trauma

[HuckleB]

Brain Region May Govern Resilience to Trauma

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/07/12/hscout526766.html

"It may not be thick skin that protects you from emotional pain, but a thick brain.

Scientists have discovered that variations in the size of an area of the brain called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex may explain why some people recover from trauma better than others. Specifically, people with a thicker ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) exhibited better ability to inhibit fear.

...

Some people associate certain cues with traumatic memories so that, when they are exposed to the cue, the memory comes flooding back. In other words, certain sounds or sights trigger a recall of the previous, traumatic experience. The most obvious example of this is post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For most people, this sensitivity diminishes over time and the fearful response goes away, something called "extinction memory." For others, however, the fear persists.

..."



Any bets on just how thin Georgie's* ventromedial prefrontal cortex is?

[etherealtruth]

1. How much of who we are is determined solely by biology (physiology)?

20% 80%? 90%? Probably a lot more than we care to admit.

[whatever4]

2. I'd be willing to place a small wager

On the idea that the size of the Bush brain is smaller than any other president we've ever had. Drug use damage and alcohol have pickled him up but good; I'd be willing to bet the effects are measurable.