Other companies, such as Neurogen, Aventis and Neurocrine Biosciences, are in early tests of drugs that block a damaging stress hormone often elevated in depressed patients.

FORBES: Think Happy

Is there anything you can do to protect yourself from the damaging effects of this stress?

FORBES: Connect

That stress, and stress alone, is responsible for damaging the working memories of poor children thus looks like a strong hypothesis.

ECONOMIST: Neuroscience and social deprivation

Sinha observed that it's stress that is sustained, uncontrollable and overwhelming that is damaging.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS