"Leaky Brain" – Can exhaustion syndrome be indicative of altered brain function?

Prolonged stress and exhaustion do not only affect our energy and mood but can also lead to measurable changes in the brain. Research is beginning to view burnout syndrome as something deeper – a form of altered brain function. Our research indicates that astrocytes, an important cell type in the brain, begin to release extracellular vesicles (EV) during chronic stress. This phenomenon, which we refer to as “leaky brain,” may provide us with clues about how the brain reacts and signals when subjected to prolonged strain.

Astrocytes are a type of supportive cell that safeguard neurons and provide stability to the brain. When these cells are affected by stress, they commence releasing small membrane bubbles, or EV, which contain various signaling substances. We regard this as the brain’s way of signaling that it is under pressure, where leaky vesicles function as a biological marker for stress. This process provides valuable insights into how chronic stress can impact brain function.

What are extracellular vesicles and how can they measure stress?

Extracellular vesicles function as small messengers carrying information from one cell to another. In the brain, the vesicles from astrocytes are particularly fascinating, as they can reflect the brain’s responses to stress. During prolonged stress, astrocytes begin to leak these vesicles at higher concentrations, which can be measured to assess the brain’s stress levels.

Typically, the brain is protected by what is known as the blood-brain barrier, which acts as a filter to keep harmful substances out. However, when brain cells are under prolonged stress, some extracellular vesicles may “leak” through the barrier and enter the bloodstream. This means that with a simple blood test, we can measure these specific vesicles and obtain an objective picture of how stress affects the brain. This “leakage” allows for a quantitative insight into brain stress levels, which is otherwise difficult to capture solely through subjective experiences.

The role of the blood-brain barrier in stress: Prolonged stress can cause astrocytes to release vesicles through the barrier, which can be measured in the blood with NeuroEV.

NeuroEV – A tool for understanding your stress and brain health

Our service, NeuroEV, is developed to analyze these specific vesicles from astrocytes, thereby providing insight into brain health and stress levels. NeuroEV serves as a valuable aid in monitoring the body's response to stress and creating an objective piece of the puzzle in understanding brain well-being. The analysis is not a standalone assessment but needs to be combined with patient history and individual symptoms to provide a comprehensive picture. For those exposed to prolonged exhaustion, NeuroEV can provide important insight that complements other medical and psychological examinations.

Since stress levels can vary between individuals, it is particularly valuable to monitor the marker over time. In this way, we can gain a clearer picture of changes and how your brain specifically reacts to stress and exhaustion. This is part of the principle behind precision medicine, which is based on the idea that each person has unique baselines and needs.

To learn more about how NeuroEV can support you, we offer a free consultation where we can discuss your questions and concerns. Please book a consultation if you are interested in exploring the service and how it can contribute to understanding and improving your brain health over time.