Researchers conducted structural brain volume analysis using data from the Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study (GROCS) and MRI scans from a separate project on working conditions. A total of 110 healthcare workers, most of them clinicians, were included in the final analysis. Of these, 32 routinely worked 52 or more hours per week—classified as long working hours—while 78 worked standard hours.
Those working longer hours tended to be younger and more highly educated and had spent less time in the workforce compared to their standard-hour counterparts. Brain volume differences were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and atlas-based analysis, both advanced neuroimaging techniques.
The results revealed significant differences in grey matter volume in key brain regions among those logging long hours. Notably, there was a 19% increase in the volume of the middle frontal gyrus—an area associated with attention, working memory, and language processing. Voxel-based morphometry also identified peak volume increases in 17 brain regions, including the superior frontal gyrus, involved in planning and decision-making, and the insula, which processes emotion and self-awareness.
While these findings suggest a potential link between overwork and changes in brain structure, the researchers caution that the study is observational and cannot establish causation. They also note that it remains unclear whether these brain changes are a result of long hours or pre-existing traits that influence work habits.
Researchers said, “While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health.”
They add, “Notably, the increased brain volumes observed in overworked individuals may reflect neuroadaptive responses to chronic occupational stress, although the exact mechanisms remain speculative.”
Reference: https://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2025/05/08/oemed-2025-110057
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