Neural signatures of human psychological resilience driven by acute stress

Abstract

Neurophysiological mechanisms underlying psychological resilience, the ability to overcome adversity1,2, have been extensively studied in animals. However, in comparison with animals, human resilience is unique in that it is underpinned by higher cognitive functions, such as self-confidence and a positive attitude to challenges3,4. Given these discrepancies, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying human resilience remain unclear. To address this issue, we recorded multimodal responses after acute stress exposure over 1.5 hours using functional brain imaging and peripheral physiological measurements. Here, we showed that the degree of individual resilience is indexed by multiple changes in neural dynamics 1 hour after acute stress. Both functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography show that activity in the cortical salience network and power in high-beta and gamma oscillations increase in less resilient individuals. Contrastingly, activity in the cortical default mode network and spontaneous activity in the posterior hippocampus increase in more resilient individuals. Machine learning analysis confirmed that, 1 hour after stress exposure, the functional connectivity in the salience network was the most influential, followed by that in the default mode network, gamma power, high-beta power, and hippocampal activity. The neurophysiological dynamics for resilience do not occur as previously thought, but rather in a time-lagged manner against stress exposure. Our findings Shed light on a new approach to recovery from stress-induced deficits such as delayed neuromodulation after a stressful event.