Neurological Aspects of Grief: A Systematic Review.

Although grief being a universal experience and the increase of scientific production on the subject in recent years is still scarce studies on the role of neurological aspects in mourning, seeking better understanding of how they affect and are affected in this clinical situation. Research was conducted by two independent researchers using the following databases: PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge with the keywords "grief", "bereavement", "mourning", "neur*", "Neuro*" and "neurol*". Of 346 publications, 5 studies were selected for inclusion in this review. We found 5 studies that discuss the relationship between the neurological aspects in grief due to death of a loved one. All studies showed an activation of common areas, i.e., anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), posterior cingulated cortex (PCC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), insula and amygdala. These findings could indicate that there is a set of areas working together and responding for the symptomatology of grief. Considering grief as an universal experience, its understanding in terms of manifestation, differential diagnosis to other clinical conditions, particularly psychiatric ones, as well as adequate forms of intervention and treatment when necessary, is essential for those who pass by the experience of losing someone considered important in their lives may have the necessary and effective support, preventing the emergence of more serious health problems.