University of New South Wales researchers study brain mechanisms of prolonged grief

A scientific review published in the journal Trends in Neurosciences has analyzed the brain mechanisms underlying prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Researchers from the University of New South Wales found that individuals with PGD exhibit changes in brain systems responsible for processing emotions, attachment, motivation, and reward.

Specific brain regions affected include the nucleus accumbens and orbitofrontal cortex, which are linked to desire and motivation, as well as the amygdala and insula, which are involved in emotional reactions. Professor Richard Bryant, the lead author of the analysis, suggests that PGD is not a fundamentally different type of grief, but rather a state where an individual remains ‘stuck’ in the process and fails to adapt to the loss.

Recognized as a psychiatric condition by the World Health Organization, PGD affects approximately 10% of people experiencing loss. Symptoms include intense sadness, guilt, and a persistent longing for the deceased that lasts more than six months, often hindering the ability to return to daily activities and normal life.