COMPARISON OF BRAIN ACTIVATION PATTERNS IN STRESS-INDUCED AND POST-STRESS RESTING STATES: NORMAL SUBJECTS

Abstract

Stress is a pervasive phenomenon with significant implications for individual well-being. Understanding the neural processes underlying stress responses and recovery is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the brain activation patterns during stress induction and recovery in healthy adults. The Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) was utilized to elicit acute stress in participants. The results revealed that during the stress task phase, the right hemisphere showed activation in the Inferior Parietal Lobule, Postcentral Gyrus, and Precuneus, while the left hemisphere demonstrated activation in the Inferior Parietal Lobule, Postcentral Gyrus, Middle Frontal Gyrus, and Superior Frontal Gyrus. Following the stress task, during the recovery phase, the right hemisphere exhibited activation in the Precuneus, Middle Occipital Gyrus, Superior Occipital Gyrus, Angular Gyrus, Medial Frontal Gyrus, Middle Frontal Gyrus, and Posterior Cingulate, whereas the left hemisphere displayed activation primarily in the Cuneus. Comparing the two phases, the left frontal lobe and occipital lobe exhibited increased activation during the rest period after stress. In contrast, the parietal lobe showed decreased activation during the recovery phase. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neural mechanisms associated with stress responses and recovery, providing insights into potential interventions for stress management and promoting well-being.