Influence of Stress on Encoding and Prediction

Neural Mechanisms of Stress Effects Across Hippocampal Encoding and Prediction

The purpose of this study is to investigate the neural mechanisms by which acute stress influences statistical learning and episodic encoding.

This study aims to assess the neural and behavioral mechanisms by which acute stress modulates episodic encoding (which involves the trisynaptic pathway: entorhinal cortex, dentate gyrus, cornu ammonis [CA] 3, and CA 1) and statistical learning (monosynaptic pathway: entorhinal cortex, CA1) in humans.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-45 years old
• Fluent in English
• BMI 18-35

Exclusion Criteria:

• Meeting current DSM-V criteria for any substance use disorder (except caffeine)
• Having current significant medical conditions or psychiatric symptoms requiring medication
• Current use of medications/drugs that interfere with physiological stress responses
• Peri and post-menopausal women, pregnant or lactating women, and those with hysterectomies
• Metal in body (for MRI safety) history will be assessed for female participants.