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8h ago

Study Links Overwork to Structural Changes in the Brain

Preliminary findings from South Korea suggest working over 52 hours per week may alter brain regions tied to cognition and emotional regulation.

Side view of dedicated male professional working late at illuminated desk in coworking space
Image
A stock image of a woman sitting at a work desk with her hands over her eyes under her glasses.
(© Feng Yu - stock.adobe.com)

Overview

  • MRI scans of 110 healthcare workers revealed a 19% increase in the volume of the left caudal middle frontal gyrus among those working 52+ hours weekly.
  • Structural changes were observed in 17 brain regions related to attention, memory, decision-making, and emotional processing.
  • Researchers caution that the study's cross-sectional design cannot confirm whether these changes are caused by overwork or reflect a predisposition to working long hours.
  • The International Labour Organization estimates overwork causes more than 800,000 deaths annually, highlighting its significant health burden.
  • Experts call for workplace policies and further longitudinal research to address the cognitive and emotional risks of excessive working hours.