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• misaacs - Apr 25 2008 | video, neuroscience, stress, steroid, hippocampus, brain, violence, primate, science, research, medicine

  Glucocorticoids are steroids produced by bodies at times of stress. Prolonged stress(and exposure to the steroids) damages hippocampus neurons. PTSD and depression(ie chronic stress) can cause permanent damage to the hippocampus, slow neurogenesis and affect memory.

  From studies of baboon clans, this steroid level-
  (a) is generally low in high ranking males and high in low ranking males. They are high for high-ranking males when the societal hierarchy is under threat.
  (b) is high when the personal threat is unpredictable and arbitrary.
  (c) is higher when a baboon is unable to distinguish a real threat from a non-threat.
  (d) is lower where baboons have a social outlet for anger.
  (e) is lower when they are sociable and not alone.