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Stress-induced HPA activation in virtual navigation and spatial attention performance.

Anthony E Richardson1, Melissa M VanderKaay Tomasulo2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Saint Michael's College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, USA. arichardson@smcvt.edu.

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Summary

Acute stress impacts spatial attention differently in men and women, with males showing better performance after stress. Cortisol response to stress is linked to spatial attention performance, particularly in females.

Keywords:
Acute stressCardiovascular reactivitySalivary cortisolSocially evaluated cold pressor testSpatial learningUseful field of ViewVirtual navigation

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Previous research indicates acute stress can affect spatial performance, but findings are inconsistent.
  • Discrepancies may stem from the type of stress response (SAM vs. HPA), cortisol reactivity, and sex differences.
  • This study investigates the influence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activation on spatial tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine how acute stress, specifically HPA activation via the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test (SECPT), influences spatial attention and virtual reality navigation.
  • To investigate potential sex differences in spatial performance under stress.
  • To explore the relationship between cortisol response and spatial task performance.

Main Methods:

  • 31 males and 30 females were assigned to either the SECPT (stress) or a non-stress control condition.
  • Participants completed the Useful Field of View (UFOV) task for spatial attention and a virtual reality (VR) navigation task.
  • Cardiovascular measures (heart rate, blood pressure) and salivary cortisol levels were collected.

Main Results:

  • The SECPT successfully induced both sympathetic adrenal medulla (SAM) and HPA axis activation, confirmed by physiological and cortisol changes.
  • No significant overall effect of stress was observed on VR navigation or UFOV task performance.
  • A sex difference emerged in the UFOV task among cortisol responders: males showed higher accuracy than females.
  • In females within the stress condition, higher cortisol levels correlated with decreased spatial attention performance.

Conclusions:

  • The Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test did not alter VR navigation performance but revealed sex-specific effects on spatial attention.
  • Males who were stress-cortisol responders demonstrated superior spatial attention accuracy compared to females.
  • Understanding the interplay between HPA activation and prefrontal cortex activity is crucial for elucidating sex differences in spatial attention.