Fast non-genomic effects of intravenous Cortisol in an emotional task switching paradigm: behavioral and electrophysiological correlates.

Responsible: Dipl.-Psych. Dipl.-Umweltwiss. Angelika Dierolf

The steroid hormone cortisol has a great impact on information processing in the brain. This has been researched extensively regarding memory phenomenon. However, cortisol sensitive receptors can also be found in the prefrontal cortex, a structure essentially involved in the so-called executive functions. So far, there have been only a few studies investigating the connection between cortisol and executive functions, especially cognitive control. As a first step, a study was conducted looking into the effects of intravenous cortisol on this type of executive function on both a behavioral and electrophysiological level. Together with Ms Lea Arlt (BSc. psychology), Ms Dipl. Psych., Dipl. Umweltwiss. Angelika Dierolf established an emotional task-switching paradigm.