Acute Stress for Memory Integration

This trial explores how stress affects memory and learning. Researchers aim to determine if stress impairs the ability to connect and remember information. Participants will encounter either a stressful situation (Acute Stress) or a calm one (Non-Stress Control Task), and their performance on memory tasks will be compared. Healthy adults who speak English and have normal vision are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the impact of stress on cognitive functions.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to check with the study organizers for more details.

Research has shown that the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) reliably and safely induces stress in people. Studies have found that it effectively raises cortisol levels, the main stress hormone, to simulate real-life stress. Most participants handle this stress test well, and past studies have reported no serious side effects. Researchers often use the TSST to study how stress affects memory and learning. Overall, evidence suggests that the test is safe for participants.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the Acute Stress for Memory Integration trial because it explores how a specific kind of stress might actually help with memory integration, which is a novel approach. Unlike traditional methods that might focus on medication or cognitive training to improve memory, this trial uses the Trier Social Stress Test to induce a controlled, acute stress response. This unique approach aims to understand whether brief stress exposure can enhance memory processing, offering a potential new strategy that differs from conventional treatments. If successful, this method could pave the way for innovative therapies that leverage controlled stress as a tool for cognitive enhancement.

This trial will compare the effects of acute stress with a non-stress control task on memory integration. Participants in the acute stress condition will undergo the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a validated method for inducing acute psychosocial stress. Research has shown that stress can affect memory retention. Specifically, the TSST interferes with memory, particularly the ability to link related memories, which is crucial for learning. Studies have found that higher cortisol levels, a hormone released during stress, correlate with increased memory problems. A review of several studies also found that experiencing stress immediately before attempting to recall information significantly impairs memory retrieval. These findings suggest that stress, particularly sudden stress, can hinder learning and memory.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹