RECRUITING

Disrupted Connections: The Impact of Acute Stress on Memory Integration

Description

The goal of this study is to better understand how stress impacts people's ability to learn across their experiences and link new information to what they already know. The investigators will compare performance on a memory task between stressed and non-stressed participants. This memory task requires people to integrate knowledge across learning experiences (think: having to "connect the dots", draw inferences, and generalize your knowledge to new situations and scenarios). Cortisol, the brain's primary stress hormone, will be measured at multiple points throughout the study to measure stress levels. The investigators hypothesize that: 1. Stress will disrupt performance on the memory task by interfering with memory processes that enable linking of related memories. 2. Higher cortisol levels, which reflect a greater stress response, will relate to greater deficits in memory performance across participants. This research has broad implications for understanding how stress impacts the ability to learn and retain new information, particularly in high-stress environments like schools and workplaces. Additionally, this work may provide insights into the cognitive difficulties experienced by individuals with psychiatric disorders, where stress can worsen memory and learning challenges.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this study is to better understand how stress impacts people's ability to learn across their experiences and link new information to what they already know. The investigators will compare performance on a memory task between stressed and non-stressed participants. This memory task requires people to integrate knowledge across learning experiences (think: having to "connect the dots", draw inferences, and generalize your knowledge to new situations and scenarios). Cortisol, the brain's primary stress hormone, will be measured at multiple points throughout the study to measure stress levels. The investigators hypothesize that: 1. Stress will disrupt performance on the memory task by interfering with memory processes that enable linking of related memories. 2. Higher cortisol levels, which reflect a greater stress response, will relate to greater deficits in memory performance across participants. This research has broad implications for understanding how stress impacts the ability to learn and retain new information, particularly in high-stress environments like schools and workplaces. Additionally, this work may provide insights into the cognitive difficulties experienced by individuals with psychiatric disorders, where stress can worsen memory and learning challenges.

Disrupted Connections: The Impact of Acute Stress on Memory Integration

Disrupted Connections: The Impact of Acute Stress on Memory Integration

Condition
Stress
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Henderson

Nevada State University, Henderson, Nevada, United States, 89002-9776

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * healthy adults
  • * aged 18-35 years
  • * speak fluent English
  • * have normal or corrected-to-normal vision
  • * individuals who are pregnant
  • * exercise within 1 hour of the study session
  • * smoking within 1 hour of the study session
  • * consuming drugs or alcohol within 1 hour of the study session

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Nevada State University,

Corey A Fernandez, PhD, Neuroscience, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Nevada State University

Study Record Dates

2026-03-31