Is an increase in cortisol levels associated with impaired working-memory retrieval and recognition in students? Behavsci_MDPI LaurentianU stress cortisol students wellbeing memory exam exams
By Dr. Chinta SidharthanMay 4 2023Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc. In a recent study published in the journal Behavioral Sciences, researchers examined the memory scores and electroencephalogram profiles of students to understand exam-induced stress and anxiety among the student population.
An EEG is an ideal tool to study the brain's electrical activity since it is non-invasive, and the method is now widely used in diagnosing depression, epilepsy, and various neurological conditions. Studies have also found that stress causes changes in EEG activity. The EEGs of medical students have shown increased beta activity levels in the weeks leading up to examinations.
The participants were students of Laurentian University, Canada, registered in undergraduate programs. The mean age of the study population was 21 years. The memory test comprised viewing various nondescript, black-and-white images for 30 seconds and a recollection of those images at the end of the experiment. Additionally, saliva samples were collected from all participants during the afternoon, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine cortisol levels.
Related StoriesThe middle frontal gyrus is associated with working memory, and the study found that working memory impairments affect information storage and retrieval processes. For the individuals who showed a greater difference in memory performance between the initial and later measurements, the middle frontal gyrus activity was reduced. This indicated that during a stressful event, the middle frontal gyrus increases its activity to perform as well as during periods of relaxation.
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