Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Microglial Interactions with Stress-Response Circuitry Using the Limited Bedding and Nesting Model
Published on: July 12, 2024
The influence of early life stress on the integration of emotion and working memory
Sophie Metz1, Sabine Aust1, Yan Fan1
1Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.
Introduction:
Early life stress (ELS) impacts emotional and cognitive competences. We aimed to investigate whether the effects of ELS on working memory (WM) performance depend on the valence of the stimuli.
Methods:
Between January and October 2015, we recruited (N=31) healthy subjects with (N=15) and without (N=16) ELS experiences. Participants performed a WM-task with emotional stimuli.
Results:
Results show a trend towards decreased WM accuracy in subjects with ELS experiences (p=.06) with increased WM accuracy (p=.08) and an altered pattern of BOLD responses in the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus (p<.001) and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) (p<.01) in response to negative stimuli.
Limitations:
The small sample size and potential confounding factors should be considered when interpreting the results.
Conclusion:
Our data suggests that negative valence influences cognitive performance and brain activity in subjects with ELS experiences.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Psychological Responses to Stress
The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
The Influence of Affect on Cognition
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...

