The effects of acute stress on brain activation changes

Project start and end date: Summer 2023 / Winter 2023 / 2024 (ongoing)

Project title: The effects of acute stress on brain activation changes

Candidates looked for: BA or MA students (max. 2 per semester)

Short summary of the project:

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive brain imaging method to explore activation changes on the cortical surface in response to specific stimulation. In this project, we want to use the previously established stress task for use in functional imaging paradigms, the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST), and employ it in combination with with our recently acquired fNIRS system.

Research question: In general, we aim to replicate previously observed activation changes from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). As part of this effort, we can add specific research questions depending of the interests of the individual BA or MA candidates (e.g., sex, gender, personality, demographic effects)

Hypotheses:

1. During stress, an activation in the area of the anterior cingulate gyrus can be observed.

2. During control, an activation in the area of the orbitofrontal cortex can be observed.

3. In response to the stressful intervention, a significant increase in the stress hormone cortisol can be observed.

4. Within the whole group, there will be subsamples of responders and non-responders.

Operationalization: To be determined, also in conjunction with the BA or MA candidates.

Study population (Who? How many?): Number to be determined depending on the exact research questions, population most likely students recruited from campus

Inclusion criteria: Young, healthy

Exclusion criteria: No brain damage or endocrinological disorder

Independent Variable(s): Stress / control, other to be determined

Dependent Variable(s): Cortisol levels, brain activation changes as determined through fNIRS

Timeline

- Planning: 2 Weeks

- Recruitment: ongoing for four weeks starting in April or October

- Begin data acquisition: April / November

- Duration and number of testing sessions: each session lasts about 1 hour, number of sessions depend on final research question

- End of data acquisition: about four weeks after begin

- Processing of data; about 2 weeks

- Analysis of data: about 2 weeks

- Thesis writing: about 6 weeks

Required competencies: 

- Interest in functional Neuroimaging

- basic knowledge of human anatomy

- basic computer skills to operate imaging software

- statistical knowledge of R or SPSS

- willingness to work in a team

For further information please contact jens.pruessner@uni-konstanz.de.