Stress-related cortisol responsivity modulates prospective memory
1Neurobiology and Genetics of Behavior, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Centre for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Low cortisol responders showed stable prospective memory (PM) performance after stress, unlike controls. High cortisol responders had inconsistent PM retrieval, suggesting stress impacts cognitive performance differently based on biological response intensity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Stress Research
Background:
- Individual differences exist in stress responses.
- Cortisol plays a key role in the physiological stress response.
- Prospective memory (PM) is crucial for daily functioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cortisol responsivity on prospective memory (PM) performance.
- To analyze cognitive dimensions of PM in relation to stress.
- To re-examine previous data focusing on stress impact on PM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test (SECPT) for stress induction.
- Measured salivary cortisol levels to assess biological stress response.
- Assessed PM performance in stressed (high/low cortisol responders) and control groups.
Main Results:
- Low cortisol responders exhibited stable PM performance post-stress, while controls showed decline.
- High cortisol responders demonstrated initially weaker PM retrieval, improving by the final trial.
- Subjective stress ratings did not significantly differ between high and low cortisol responders.
Conclusions:
- Low cortisol responsivity may enhance PM planning by stress exposure.
- High cortisol responses lead to inconsistent PM retrieval, possibly due to a recency effect or temporary impairment.
- Cortisol response intensity does not always correlate with subjective stress experience.
Keywords:
high cortisol responderhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axislaboratory stressorlow cortisol responderprospective memorysalivary cortisolMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
754
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
754
01:24Physiological Foundation of Stress
766
Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
766
01:37Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
67.0K
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
67.0K
01:20Traumatic Memory
622
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
622
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
681
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
681
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
1.3K
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
1.3K