New research reveals overworking may alter brain structure, impacting emotional and cognitive function

Working long hours at the office may change parts of the brain associated with memory, problem solving and emotional regulation, new research has revealed. Overworking has been linked to risks of cardiovascular disease, and issues relating to mental health and metabolism but until now, the effects of putting in too much overtime on the brain has not been studied. A pilot study, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, analysed MRI scans of healthcare workers who routinely clock up 52 or more hours a week and compared them to people who worked standard hours. “Those putting in long working hours every week were significantly younger, had spent less time in work and were more highly educated than those clocking up standard hours,” the research found. The findings revealed that people who worked 52 or more hours a week displayed significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, unlike participants who worked standard hours every week. Testing showed those who worked longer hours had an average increase of about 19 per cent in the areas of the brain in charge of cognitive function. This extra volume can have a negative impact on attention span, planning and decision-making. The insula part of the brain was also impacted, which plays a key role in emotional processing, self awareness, and understanding social context. The researchers believed the changes in brain volume could provide a reason for the adverse health effects of working long hours. “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,” the researchers, from Chung-Ang University in Korea, said. “Notably, the increased brain volumes observed in overworked individuals may reflect neuroadaptive responses to chronic occupational stress. “The observed changes in brain volume may provide a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges often reported in overworked individuals. “Future longitudinal and multi-modal neuroimaging studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.” The researchers added the results highlighted the need for overworking to be addressed as a health concern. “The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern and highlight the need for workplace policies that mitigate excessive working hours,” they said.