Overview

• MRI scans from a South Korean study revealed a 19% increase in left caudal middle frontal gyrus volume among overworked individuals compared to those with standard hours.
• The study, involving 110 healthcare workers, suggests potential neuroadaptive changes in response to chronic occupational stress but stops short of establishing causation.
• Researchers identified structural changes in brain regions associated with executive function, emotional regulation, attention, and decision-making.
• The findings highlight the need for further longitudinal studies to determine whether these changes are reversible or indicative of long-term health risks.
• The study adds to growing calls for workplace policies to address overwork, with the International Labour Organisation estimating over 800,000 annual deaths linked to excessive working hours.