Abstract Details

Title Exploring functional connectivity correlates of problem solving under stress

Topic Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P2 - Poster Session 2 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 9-007

Objective Examine effects of stress on functional connectivity (FC) during verbal problem-solving.

Background Previous research demonstrated psychosocial stress impairs verbal problem solving requiring cognitive flexibility, an effect modified by genetic susceptibility to stress. Herein, we assessed effects of stress on the neural circuitry of this, examining effects on FC in brain regions activated during a verbal problem-solving task, while exploring effects of genetic susceptibility as well as gender.

Design/Methods Forty-five healthy participants were genotyped for presence of at least one copy of the stress-susceptible short (S)-allele of the polymorphism in the promotor region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), or homozygosity for the long (L)-allele. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in two separate sessions. FC was assessed during performance of the compound remote associate (CRA) task, interleaved with the Montreal Imaging Stress Test to induce stress at one session, or a no stress control task during the other. Session order (stress/no stress) was counterbalanced.

Results In agreement with previous work, a trend towards a stressXgenotype interaction effect on CRA solution latency (p=0.06) was observed. A stressXgenderXgene interaction was found for FC between left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and left middle temporal gyrus (LMTG) (p=0.03), driven by greater increase in FC among females with an S-allele (p=0.03), but greater increase in FC among males with the L-allele (p=0.04) with stress. Among L-allele participants, LMTG-LIFG FC changes were related to CRA performance changes with stress (p=0.035). Among S-allele participants, LMTG-L posterior cingulate FC changes were related to performance changes with stress (p=0.029).

Conclusions The connectivity associated with differential effects of stress on problem solving according to genotype further interacts with gender. Effects of stress on performance are also associated with changes in LMTG connectivity. Future work will need to assess clinical populations, effects of interventions, and potential as a biomarker for cognitive effects of stress.

Authors/Disclosures
David Q. Beversdorf, MD, FAAN (University of Missouri) PRESENTER	Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Yamo pharmaceuticals. Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for Autism Research Institute. Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Elsevier (Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders). The institution of Dr. Beversdorf has received research support from Autism Research Institute. Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Case Consultant with Best Doctors.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Patrick Hecht, PhD (Avanir Pharmaceuticals)	Dr. Hecht has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of AbbVie. Dr. Hecht has stock in AbbVie.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file

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