A recent study has found that shift work, including night shifts, is associated with a reduction in brain volume among workers. Researchers led by Welton examined data from the UK Biobank, assessing 14,198 adults who did not have serious health issues. Among those, 2,122 were shift workers with a median age of 47 years. The study utilized self-reported data on health, sleep, cognition, and employment, along with MRI scans to evaluate 153 aspects related to brain structure, such as brain volume and the condition of nerve fibers.
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The findings indicated that shift workers exhibited smaller volumes in key brain areas, specifically the right thalamus and left amygdala. The thalamus plays a crucial role in relaying sensory information and regulating sleep, while the amygdala is involved in emotional responses like fear and anxiety. The researchers suggest that the observed reduction in these brain regions among healthy shift workers may indicate a growing vulnerability to the effects of disrupted circadian rhythms.
These areas are significant for managing sleep, emotions, and attention, and are linked to fatigue and mood disturbances commonly experienced by shift workers. Notably, the science media outlet Science Alert emphasized that a decrease in brain volume does not imply damage, as the brain has the capacity to adapt its neural circuits depending on circumstances, potentially allowing shift workers to cope with nighttime work.
Welton's team also noted that individuals who ceased shift work showed a halt in brain volume decline within 2.4 years. They concluded that changes in brain structure related to shift work are not irreversible and can be mitigated through monitoring, counseling, and adjustments to work schedules.