Acute psychosocial stress alters thalamic network centrality

Publication date: Available online 5 June 2019Source: NeuroImageAuthor(s): Reinelt Janis, Uhlig Marie, Müller Karsten, Mark E. Lauckner, Kumral Deniz, Schaare H. Lina, Blazej M. Baczkowski, Babayan Anahit, Erbey Miray, Roebbig Josefin, Reiter Andrea, Bae Yoon Ju, Kratzsch Juergen, Thiery Joachim, Hendler Talma, Villringer Arno, Gaebler MichaelAbstractAcute stress triggers a broad psychophysiological response that is adaptive if rapidly activated and terminated. While the brain controls the stress response, it is strongly affected by it. Previous research of stress effects on brain activation and connectivity has mainly focused on pre-defined brain regions or networks, potentially missing changes in the rest of the brain. We here investigated how both stress reactivity and stress recovery are reflected in whole-brain network topology and how changes in functional connectivity relate to other stress measures.Healthy young males (n = 67) completed the Trier Social Stress Test or a control task. From 60 min before until 105 min after stress onset, blocks of resting-state fMRI were acquired. Subjective, autonomic, and endocrine measures of the stress response were assessed throughout the experiment. Whole-brain network topology was quantified using Eigenvector centrality (EC) mapping, which detects central hubs of a network.Stress influenced subjective affect, autonomic activity, and endocrine measures. EC differences between groups as well as before and after stress expo...

Source: NeuroImage - June 5, 2019 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research