Stress Induction and Release: Electroencephalography Study on Brain Networks and Cortisol

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychophysiology
• Stress Research

Background:

• Prolonged stress negatively affects cognitive and behavioral functions.
• Understanding stress release mechanisms is crucial for developing coping strategies.
• Brain functional connectivity (FC) and hormonal responses are key indicators of stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in brain functional connectivity (FC) patterns during stress induction and recovery.
• To examine the relationship between salivary cortisol levels and FC changes.
• To explore the neural mechanisms underlying stress adaptation in healthy young males.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Trier Social Stress Paradigm to induce psychological stress in 20 healthy young males.
• Measured stress levels using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
• Recorded salivary cortisol levels and electroencephalography (EEG) data, followed by frequency-specific FC mapping.

Main Results:

• Stress induction led to decreased inter-hemispheric FC in right frontal lobes and increased FC in left frontal lobes.
• Stress release demonstrated a recovery pattern in inter-hemispheric FC.
• Observed changes in FC significantly correlated with fluctuations in salivary cortisol levels.

Conclusions:

• Bihemispheric brain associations play a critical role in adapting to and coping with stressful conditions.
• FC patterns and cortisol levels serve as important biomarkers for stress response and recovery.