A study has found that working long hours over an extended period of time can have adverse effects on a person's brain health.

It concluded that working long hours can have the greatest impact on the brain and can alter brain structure.

Scientists in South Korea followed 110 health care workers and placed them in two groups – one was classified as "overworked" and the other as "not overworked." The overworked group was made up of people who worked 52 hours or more each week.

MRI brain imaging was used to analyze participant's brain volume. That imaging showed that those in the overworked group had significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation compared to those in the other group.

Researchers say the findings suggest there is a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges reported by people who are overworked. They say volume loss in the frontal lobe is linked to problem-solving and memory issues.

Other studies have uncovered that when employees are not overworked and feel they are in a good place, that increases their productivity and innovation.