What is the Origin of Amygdala Hypertrophy?

Derived from Greek amygdale meaning "almond," referencing its shape, combined with hypertrophē, meaning "overnourishment" or excessive growth. This term originates from early neuroanatomical studies examining structural plasticity within the central nervous system.

What is the Mechanism of Amygdala Hypertrophy?

Prolonged exposure to elevated glucocorticoids, often resulting from chronic HPA axis activation, can drive neuronal hypertrophy and increased dendritic arborization within this region. Such remodeling can impair top-down regulatory control exerted by the prefrontal cortex on affective responses, contributing to sustained anxiety states.

Amygdala Hypertrophy

Meaning

Represents an increase in the structural volume of the amygdala, a key limbic structure central to processing emotion and threat detection. In the context of chronic stress, this physical change correlates with heightened emotional reactivity and altered stress response set points.