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EEG Evidence of Acute Stress Enhancing Inhibition Control by Increasing Attention
Bingxin Yan1, Yifan Wang1, Yuxuan Yang1
1Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
Brain Sciences
|October 25, 2024
Summary
Acute stress enhances inhibitory control by increasing attentional levels, as evidenced by reduced Stroop task conflict effects and altered brain activity in resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) data.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- The impact of acute stress on inhibitory control is debated.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of stress-induced cognitive changes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate acute stress effects on inhibitory control.
- Elucidate neural mechanisms using resting state electroencephalogram (EEG).
Main Methods:
- Within-subject design with 32 male college students under stress and non-stress conditions.
- Collected physiological (cortisol, heart rate), self-report, and Stroop task behavioral data.
- Acquired resting state EEG data during the Stroop task.
Main Results:
- Acute stress reduced the Stroop task conflict effect.
- Stress increased beta power in resting state EEG.
- EEG microstate analysis showed increased duration of class D and altered transition probabilities.
- Increased beta power negatively correlated with reduced conflict effect.
Conclusions:
- Acute stress enhances attentional levels.
- This attentional enhancement promotes inhibitory control performance.
