Stress and the Human Brain

An article published in Medical News Today, March 4, 2009, examines this issue. The article reports on a study published in the March 1st 2009 online edition of Nature Neuroscience.The researchers "...Using a rat model, ...discovered that neurons in the hypothalamus, the brain's command center for stress responses, interpret 'off' chemical signals as 'on' chemical signals when stress is perceived....Normally, neurons receive different chemical signals that tell them to either switch on or switch off. The off signal or brake only works if the levels of chloride ion in the cells are maintained at a low level....This is accomplished by a protein, known as KCC2....stress turns down the activity of KCC2, thus removing the ability of the brake, a chemical known as GABA, to work properly. A loss of the brain's ability to slow down may explain some of the harmful, emotional consequences of stress." The implications of this study are significant. First, the results of the study open up new thinking about the theories of the stress response and new avenues of research of how to best adapt and prevent and the harmful effects of stress. The researchers note that "..Chronic stress takes a physical and emotional toll on our bodies and scientists are working on piecing together a medical puzzle to understand how we respond to stress at the cellular level in the brain. Being able to quickly and successfully respond to stress is essential for survival." Second, the results of the study show that one's inability to successfully respond to stressful situations is not just a psychological weakness or failing but a biological inability to adapt to stressful situations.

The Bottom Line: The results of this study strongly suggest that a defective brain protein impairs the ability to deal successfully with stress.

Source:: This article is reprinted with permission from Dr. Jeff's and Dr. Tanya's Blog

Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates of New England
Dr. Jeff's and Dr. Tanya's Blog

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Speller attended undergraduate school at Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy. During his senior year Dr. Speller was a national finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. He received an M.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He completed his post-graduate medical education and residency training in psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Division, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Speller is certified in adult and adolescent psychiatry and is licensed to practice medicine, psychiatry, and psychopharmacology in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Dr. Speller is a former member of the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Speller has over twenty years of professional experience. Dr. Speller is the co-founder and co-director of Psychopharmacology Associates of New England and the co-creater and co-author of Dr. Jeff's and Dr. Tanya's Blog.

A native of Massachusetts, Dr. Korkosz attended Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, receiving a B.A. in Physics. She completed the two-year Premedical Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a straight A average (GPA 4.0). She received the M.D. degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. She completed her post-graduate medical education and training in psychiatry at Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, National Institutes of Health. Dr. Korkosz is licensed to practice medicine, psychiatry, and psychopharmacology in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Dr. Korkosz is a former member of the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Korkosz has over twenty years of professional experience. Dr. Korkosz is the co-founder and co-director of Psychopharmacology Associates of New England and the co-creater and co-author of Dr. Jeff's and Dr. Tanya's Blog.

While a person can feel better after a good talk with a friend or relative, for moderate or severe psychiatric symptoms, this relief is only temporary. Being professionally evaluated and treated with appropriate psychiatric medication will often alleviate the psychiatric symptoms quickly and effectively. With more than more than forty years of combined professional experience, Dr. Jeffrey Speller and Dr. Tanya Joanne Korkosz are Harvard-trained physicians and psychiatrists who specialize in the use of psychiatric medication for adolescents (12 to 19) and adults. They are highly trained to evaluate and treat your psychiatric disorder with state-of-the-art psychiatric medication in a way that helps you to feel better quickly. We offer you an opportunity to face your difficulties constructively and confidently; freeing you to enjoy all the good things life has to offer.

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England is an independent psychiatric practice specializing in the use of state-of-the-art psychiatric medications in the treatment of adolescents (12 to 19) and adults who are challenged by attentions issues, depression, anxiety, social phobias, mood instability, and other psychiatric disorders. We are a team of licensed physicians and psychiatrists. Collectively, we have over 40 years of experience working with adolescent and adult patients. We offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual medication consultations, and second opinions about current medications regimes.

In addition to psychopharmacological services, we offer BrainSmart life coaching services that instructs individuals on how to manage their day-to-day lives in a way that promotes the healthy long-term functioning of their brain. With BrainSmart coaching individuals can often successfully reduce the doses of their medications, the number of medications prescribed, and the duration of their medication treatment. For parents of adolescent patients we also offer ParentSmart coaching to assist parents in better parenting their adolescent children who have psychiatric issues.

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England is conveniently located at 94 Pleasant Street in Arlington, Massachusetts. We are a self-pay practice that does not accept insurance. To schedule an appointment please call: Dr. Speller or Dr. Korkosz at: (781) 641-0700.

WHAT AGE GROUPS DO YOU TREAT?
Psychopharmacology Associates of New England provides state-of-the-art psychopharmacology services to adolescents (12 to 19) and adults.

ARE YOU ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS?
Yes, Dr. Speller and Dr. Korkosz are both currently accepting new patients.

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
We offer the services of practice on a fee-for-service, self-pay basis only. We do not accept insurance including ppo plans.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DRS. SPELLER AND KORKOSZ?
For up-to-date information about Drs. Speller's and Dr. Korkosz's thoughts about mental health and mental illness, go to Dr. Jeff's and Dr. Tanya's Blog

Office Location:
94 Pleasant Street
Arlington, MA 02476

Phone: (781) 641-0700