Brain changes in those close to 9/11
Specifically, the Cornell researchers found that three years after Sept. 11, 2001, the amygdalae were most sensitive in those who were close to the World Trade Center. These individuals tended to still experience lingering symptoms that were not severe enough to be diagnosed as a mental disorder. Those with lingering symptoms showed significantly more sensitive emotional reactions in the brain when stimulated by photographs of fearful faces.
“Our study suggests that there may be long-term neural correlates of trauma exposure, even in people who have looked resilient,” said lead author Barbara Ganzel …”Up until now, there has been very little evidence of that.”
It is interesting (and logical) to think that people will show a more exaggerated response after a hugely tramatic life event (like 9/11), but the interesting thing arises from the actual physical and neurophysiological changes that occur as well. I’d imagine the same kind of exaggerated responses would be seen in individuals who survived the tsunami that struck Asia in December of 2005. So it seems, any hugely traumatic life event has the possibility of causing lasting changes, but the extent and duration of these changes isn’t known just yet.
Wandering the Interwebs 