Modulation of self-control by acute and chronic stress (B05)

• Subject Area: Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2012 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178833530

In previous funding periods, project B5 investigated effects of psychosocial stress on basic cognitive con-trol functions. In the third funding period, we will shift our focus to the question how acute (in interaction with chronic) stress modulates cognitive and neural mechanisms mediating self-controlled decisions and the selection of actions based on anticipated future consequences. Key questions will be (i) whether stress induces a shift from a future-oriented mode of control towards behavior that is determined by habits or immediate desires, (ii) how stress effects depend on the timing of the stress induction, and (iii) whether stress effects on brain systems involved in self-control are mediated by increased cortisol levels.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 940: Volition and Cognitive Control: Mechanisms, Modulators and Dysfunctions
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Sören Enge, from 7/2016 until 6/2020; Professor Dr. Clemens Kirschbaum; Dr. Robert Miller, from 7/2016 until 6/2020; Dr. Franziska Plessow, until 6/2016; Dr. Katharina Zwosta, since 7/2020