Comparative analysis of hippocampal volume and stress levels between medical and non-medical undergraduate female students

The neuroplasticity theoretical framework posits that alterations in synaptic connectivity and function within the brain serve as the foundational basis for learning and a broad spectrum of other cognitive outcomes. This framework emphasizes the role of synaptic plasticity as critical for the encoding and retrieval of information and for the adaptation of behavior in response to environmental stimuli. The Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) was administered to assess stress and anxiety levels in 20 medical and 20 non-medical female students during their exam period. Following the questionnaire, each participant underwent an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to evaluate potential changes in hippocampal volume. We used the FreeSurfer package to perform segmentation and quantify volume changes. Group-wise demographic data and imaging metrics were statistically analyzed using R. Our findings indicated that medical students experienced significantly higher stress levels than non-medical students. Furthermore, it was observed that medical students had significantly larger hippocampal heads compared to non-medical students. No significant differences were noted in the volumes of the hippocampal body and tail between the 2 groups. Despite the stress-induced effect on human psychological status, the process of learning counteracts this effect on the brain. Contrary to expectations, our study did not find a clear link between stress and changes in hippocampal volume. These results suggest that while academic stress significantly affects psychological well-being, its impact on hippocampal structure may be less pronounced than previously thought. Given these findings, further research is necessary to explore the complex relationship between stress, learning, and brain plasticity. Nonetheless, the importance of effective stress management techniques remains critical in educational settings to support student well-being.