Long working hours threaten brain health

A study conducted by Chung-Ang and Yonsei universities in South Korea has shown that long working hours have serious effects on the brain. In the study published in the journal BMJ Occupational & Environmental Medicine, brain MRI scans of 110 healthcare workers were examined. 32 of these participants worked more than 52 hours per week, and an 'increase in gray matter volume' was observed in this group. These changes were concentrated in brain regions associated with important mental skills such as emotional control, attention, and memory.

According to a 2021 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization, long working hours lead to more than 745 thousand deaths per year and increase the risk of diabetes in women. WHO representative Frank Pega described this new research as 'important biological evidence,' stating that the long-term health effects of overwork should be taken into greater consideration.

BRAIN CHANGES MAY BE REVERSIBLE OVER TIME

Dr. Joon Yul Choi, a biomedical engineer who led the research, stated that the changes in brain structure could be reversible in some cases, but that this might take time. Dr. Choi said these findings reveal that overworking has not only psychological but also biological effects.

In the study, an increase in volume was detected particularly in the middle frontal gyrus and insula regions. These regions play an important role in functions such as language processing, self-awareness, and social perception. The study shows that long working hours are not limited to fatigue and stress, but can also lead to lasting changes in brain structure.

News Source: 12punto