The effects of acute stress on core executive functions: A meta-analysis and comparison with cortisol

Shields, Grant S.; Sazma, Matthew A.; Yonelinas, Andrew P.

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.038

Cited by 819Stress Responses and CortisolNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesCognitive Abilities and Testing

The effects of acute stress on core executive functions: A meta-analysis and comparison with cortisol

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Shields, Grant S., Sazma, Matthew A., Yonelinas, Andrew P.·2016·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.038PMC PMC5003767

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Abstract

Core executive functions such as working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility are integral to daily life. A growing body of research has suggested that acute stress may impair core executive functions. However, there are a number of inconsistencies in the literature, leading to uncertainty about how or even if acute stress influences core executive functions. We addressed this by conducting a meta-analysis of acute stress effects on working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. We found that stress impaired working memory and cognitive flexibility, whereas it had nuanced effects on inhibition. Many of these effects were moderated by other variables, such as sex. In addition, we compared effects of acute stress on core executive functions to effects of cortisol administration and found some striking differences. Our findings indicate that stress works through mechanisms aside from or in addition to cortisol to produce a state characterized by more reactive processing of salient stimuli but greater control over actions. We conclude by highlighting some important future directions for stress and executive function research.

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The duration and pattern of stress exposure dictate fundamentally divergent biological outcomes.
“The duration and pattern of stress exposure dictate fundamentally divergent biological outcomes [1,2].”
From Comparative Analysis of HPA-Axis Dysregulation and Dynamic Molecular Mechanisms in Acute Versus Chronic Social Defeat Stress (2025) · cites this paper as [1]
The Introduction (§1.2; page not provided) describes distinct acute-stress responses and rapid versus slow-acting biological effects. The Discussion (§5.1; page not provided) also describes different time courses for cortisol and cytokines. These passages support a role for timing, but the paper does not establish that the duration and pattern of stress exposure dictate fundamentally divergent biological outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.78)
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Executive Function Performance in Obesity and Overweight Individuals: A Meta-Analysis and Review
Yang, Y., Shields, G. S., Guo, C., & Liu, Y. (2018) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.11.020 · Cited by 498 · see citing works
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The effects of acute stress on episodic memory: A meta-analysis and integrative review.
Shields, G. S., Sazma, M. A., McCullough, A. M., & Yonelinas, A. P. (2017) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/bul0000100 · Cited by 450 · see citing works
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Understanding the relationships between physiological and psychosocial stress, cortisol and cognition
James, K. A., Stromin, J., Steenkamp, N., & Combrinck, M. I. (2023) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1085950 · Cited by 461 · see citing works
Kortisol
Hubl, W. (2019) · Springer Reference Medizin · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-48986-4_1768 · Cited by 369 · see citing works
Cognitive Control and Flexibility in the Context of Stress and Depressive Symptoms: The Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire
Gabrys, R. L., Tabri, N., Anisman, H., & Matheson, K. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02219 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
Resilience after trauma: The role of memory suppression
Mary, A., Dayan, J., Leone, G., Postel, C., Fraisse, F., Malle, C., Vallée, T., Klein-Peschanski, C., Viader, F., Sayette, V. D. L., et al. (2020) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.aay8477 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
A narrative review of immersive virtual reality’s ergonomics and risks at the workplace: cybersickness, visual fatigue, muscular fatigue, acute stress, and mental overload
Souchet, A. D., Lourdeaux, D., Pagani, A., & Rebenitsch, L. (2022) · Virtual Reality · doi:10.1007/s10055-022-00672-0 · Cited by 246 · see citing works
Lifetime stress exposure and health: A review of contemporary assessment methods and biological mechanisms
Shields, G. S., & Slavich, G. M. (2017) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12335 · Cited by 224 · see citing works
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Impulsivity in the self-harm and suicidal behavior of young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis
McHugh, C. M., Lee, R. S. C., Hermens, D. F., Corderoy, A., Large, M. M. B., & Hickie, I. B. (2019) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.05.012 · Cited by 224 · see citing works
Child executive function and future externalizing and internalizing problems: A meta-analysis of prospective longitudinal studies
Yang, Y., Shields, G. S., Zhang, Y., Wu, H., Chen, H., & Romer, A. L. (2022) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102194 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
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Mechanisms of memory under stress
Schwabe, L., Hermans, E. J., Joëls, M., & Roozendaal, B. (2022) · Neuron · doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2022.02.020 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Promoting Successful Cognitive Aging: A Ten-Year Update
Krivanek, T. J., Gale, S. A., McFeeley, B. M., Nicastri, C. M., & Daffner, K. R. (2021) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-201462 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
The Role of Social Support in Coping with Psychological Trauma: An Integrated Biopsychosocial Model for Posttraumatic Stress Recovery
Calhoun, C. D., Stone, K. J., Cobb, A. R., Patterson, M. W., Danielson, C. K., & Bendezú, J. J. (2022) · Psychiatric Quarterly · doi:10.1007/s11126-022-10003-w · Cited by 199 · see citing works
Psychological and physiological stress in non-competitive and competitive esports settings: A systematic review
Leis, O., & Lautenbach, F. (2020) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101738 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Developmental influences on stress response systems: Implications for psychopathology vulnerability in adolescence
Roberts, A. G., & Lopez‐Duran, N. L. (2018) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.10.008 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Explaining socioeconomic disparities in health behaviours: A review of biopsychological pathways involving stress and inflammation
Kraft, P., & Kraft, B. (2021) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.019 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis shapes adaptation and improves stress response: a mechanistic and integrative perspective
Surget, A., & Belzung, C. (2021) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-021-01136-8 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Transdiagnostic Mechanisms of Psychopathology in Youth: Executive Functions, Dependent Stress, and Rumination
Snyder, H. R., Friedman, N. P., & Hankin, B. L. (2019) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-019-10016-z · Cited by 121 · see citing works
The role of the opioid system in decision making and cognitive control: a review
van Steenbergen, H., Eikemo, M., & Leknes, S. (2019) · Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3758/s13415-019-00710-6 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Inflammation, Self-Regulation, and Health: An Immunologic Model of Self-Regulatory Failure
Shields, G. S., Moons, W. G., & Slavich, G. M. (2017) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691616689091 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
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Stressful Life Events and Racial Disparities in Cognition Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Zuelsdorff, M. L., Okonkwo, O. C., Norton, D., Barnes, L. L., Graham, K. L., Clark, L. R., Wyman, M. F., Benton, S. F., Gee, A., Lambrou, N. H., et al. (2019) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-190439 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of the Evidence, Possible Biological Mechanisms, and Recommendations for Exercise Prescription
Quigley, A., MacKay-Lyons, M. J., & Eskes, G. A. (2020) · Journal of Aging Research · doi:10.1155/2020/1407896 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Impulsive Responses to Positive and Negative Emotions: Parallel Neurocognitive Correlates and Their Implications
Johnson, S. L., Elliott, M. V., & Carver, C. S. (2020) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.08.018 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Imaging stress: an overview of stress induction methods in the MR scanner
Noack, H., Nolte, L., Nieratschker, V., Habel, U., & Derntl, B. (2019) · Journal of Neural Transmission · doi:10.1007/s00702-018-01965-y · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Increase in Beta Power Reflects Attentional Top-Down Modulation After Psychosocial Stress Induction
Palacios-García, I., Silva, J., Villena‐González, M., Campos-Arteaga, G., Artigas, C., Luarte, N., Rodríguez, E., & Bosman, C. A. (2021) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.630813 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Influence of Stress and Emotions in the Learning Process: The Example of COVID-19 on University Students: A Narrative Review
Córdova, A., Caballero-García, A., Drobnic, F., Roche, E., & Noriega, D. C. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11121787 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Stress, working memory, and academic performance: a neuroscience perspective
Almarzouki, A. F. (2024) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2024.2364333 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Better executive function under stress mitigates the effects of recent life stress exposure on health in young adults
Shields, G. S., Moons, W. G., & Slavich, G. M. (2017) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2017.1286322 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
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Stress and cognition: A user’s guide to designing and interpreting studies
Shields, G. S. (2020) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104475 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
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Mental Resilience and Coping With Stress: A Comprehensive, Multi-level Model of Cognitive Processing, Decision Making, and Behavior
Palamarchuk, I. S., & Vaillancourt, T. (2021) · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2021.719674 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
The impact of emotion regulation on cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and psychological stress responses
Jentsch, V. L., & Wolf, O. T. (2020) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2020.107893 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Sex differences in frailty among older adults
Zeidan, R. S., McElroy, T., Rathor, L., Martenson, M. S., Lin, Y., & Mankowski, R. T. (2023) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2023.112333 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Differences in Coping Strategies Between Young and Older Adults: The Role of Executive Functions
Nieto, M., Ayuso, D. M. R., Ros, L., Zabala, C., Martínez, M., Ricarte, J. J., Serrano, J. P., & Latorre, J. M. (2019) · The International Journal of Aging and Human Development · doi:10.1177/0091415018822040 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Acute Psychosocial Stress Increases Cognitive-Effort Avoidance
Bogdanov, M., Nitschke, J. P., LoParco, S., Bartz, J. A., & Otto, A. R. (2021) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/09567976211005465 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Effects of working memory training on emotion regulation: Transdiagnostic review
Barkus, E. (2020) · PsyCh Journal · doi:10.1002/pchj.353 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Recent life stress exposure is associated with poorer long-term memory, working memory, and self-reported memory
Shields, G. S., Doty, D., Shields, R. H., Gower, G., Slavich, G. M., & Yonelinas, A. P. (2017) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2017.1380620 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
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Acute psychosocial stress effects on memory performance: Relevance of age and sex
Hidalgo, V., Pulopulos, M. M., & Salvador, A. (2018) · Neurobiology of Learning and Memory · doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2018.11.013 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Evaluating different configurations of machine learning models and their transfer learning capabilities for stress detection using heart rate
Albaladejo‐González, M., Ruipérez‐Valiente, J. A., & Mármol, F. G. (2022) · Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing · doi:10.1007/s12652-022-04365-z · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Is it me or the music? Stress reduction and the role of regulation strategies and music
Baltazar, M., Västfjäll, D., Asutay, E., Koppel, L., & Saarikallio, S. H. (2019) · Music & Science · doi:10.1177/2059204319844161 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Stress research during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
Pfeifer, L. S., Heyers, K., Ocklenburg, S., & Wolf, O. T. (2021) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.045 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Physical activity interventions can improve emotion regulation and dimensions of empathy in persons with multiple sclerosis: An exploratory study
Sadeghi Bahmani, D., Razazian, N., Motl, R. W., Farnia, V., Alikhani, M., Pühse, U., Gerber, M., & Brand, S. (2020) · Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.101380 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Effectiveness of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Cognition, Metabolic Health, Physical Function, and Health-related Quality of Life in Middle-aged and Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Zhang, J., Tam, W., Hounsri, K., Kusuyama, J., & Wu, X. V. (2023) · Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2023.10.005 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Mild acute stress improves response speed without impairing accuracy or interference control in two selective attention tasks: Implications for theories of stress and cognition
Shields, G. S., Rivers, A. M., Ramey, M. M., Trainor, B. C., & Yonelinas, A. P. (2019) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.001 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
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Advanced cancer patients’ understanding of prognostic information: Applying insights from psychological research
Derry, H. M., Reid, M. C., & Prigerson, H. G. (2019) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.2331 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Stress, Sleep, and Performance on Standardized Tests: Understudied Pathways to the Achievement Gap
Heissel, J. A., Levy, D. J., & Adam, E. K. (2017) · AERA Open · doi:10.1177/2332858417713488 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis provide evidence for an effect of acute physical activity on cognition in young adults
Garrett, J., Chak, C., Bullock, T., & Giesbrecht, B. (2024) · Communications Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44271-024-00124-2 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Restoring emotional stability: Cortisol effects on the neural network of cognitive emotion regulation
Jentsch, V. L., Merz, C. J., & Wolf, O. T. (2019) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.049 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Improving Executive Function of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Cycling Skill Acquisition
Tse, A. C. Y., Anderson, D. I., LIU, V. H. L., & TSUI, S. S. L. (2021) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000002609 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Influence of acute stress on response inhibition in healthy men: An ERP study.
Dierolf, A., Fechtner, J., Böhnke, R., Wolf, O. T., & Naumann, E. (2017) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.12826 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
The role of eye fixation in memory enhancement under stress – An eye tracking study
Herten, N., Otto, T., & Wolf, O. T. (2017) · Neurobiology of Learning and Memory · doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2017.02.016 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Acute Stress Attenuates Cognitive Flexibility in Males Only: An fNIRS Examination
Kalia, V., Vishwanath, K., Knauft, K. M., Vellen, B. V. D., Luebbe, A. M., & Williams, A. L. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02084 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Stress & executive functioning: A review considering moderating factors
Plieger, T., & Reuter, M. (2020) · Neurobiology of Learning and Memory · doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107254 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Does stress make us more—or less—prosocial? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of acute stress on prosocial behaviours using economic games
Nitschke, J. P., Forbes, P., & Lamm, C. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104905 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
The association between acute stress & empathy: A systematic literature review
Nitschke, J. P., & Bartz, J. A. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105003 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Design guidelines for limiting and eliminating virtual reality-induced symptoms and effects at work: a comprehensive, factor-oriented review
Souchet, A. D., Lourdeaux, D., Burkhardt, J., & Hancock, P. A. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161932 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Sympathetic arousal, but not disturbed executive functioning, mediates the impairment of cognitive flexibility under stress
Marko, M., & Riečanský, I. (2018) · Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2018.02.004 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Effects of acute stress on divergent and convergent problem-solving
Duan, H., Wang, X., Hu, W., & Kounios, J. (2019) · Thinking & Reasoning · doi:10.1080/13546783.2019.1572539 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Decision-making and cognitive control in adolescent suicidal behaviors: a qualitative systematic review of the literature
Gifuni, A. J., Perret, L. C., Lacourse, É., Geoffroy, M., Mbékou, V., Jollant, F., & Renaud, J. (2020) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01550-3 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Neurocognitive mechanisms of emotion‐related impulsivity: The role of arousal
Pearlstein, J. G., Johnson, S. L., Modavi, K., Peckham, A., & Carver, C. S. (2018) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.13293 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Does non-invasive brain stimulation modulate emotional stress reactivity?
Smits, F., Schutter, D. J. L. G., van Honk, J., & Geuze, E. (2020) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsaa011 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Acute stress improves the effectivity of cognitive emotion regulation in men
Langer, K., Hagedorn, B., Stock, L.-M., Otto, T., Wolf, O. T., & Jentsch, V. L. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-68137-5 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Adverse Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Performance in Primary School Children
Chambonnière, C., Fearnbach, N., Pélissier, L., Genin, P. M., Fillon, A., Boscaro, A., Bonjean, L., Bailly, M., Siroux, J., Guirado, T., et al. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182111099 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Facing successfully high mental workload and stressors: An fMRI study
Causse, M., Lepron, E., Mandrick, K., Peysakhovich, V., Berry, I., Callan, D. E., & Rémy, F. (2021) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.25703 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Hope levels across adolescence and the transition to high school: Associations with school stress and achievement
Fraser, A. M., Bryce, C. I., Alexander, B. L., & Fabes, R. A. (2021) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.07.004 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Inter-brain neural mechanism underlying turn-based interaction under acute stress in women: a hyperscanning study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Zhao, H., Li, Y., Wang, X., Kan, Y., Xu, S., & Duan, H. (2022) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsac005 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
The Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Subjective Cognitive Decline During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Podlešek, A., Komidar, L., & Kavcic, V. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647971 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Effect of acute psychological stress on response inhibition: An event-related potential study
Qi, M., Gao, H., & Liu, G. (2017) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2017.01.036 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms are associated with visuospatial working memory errors during pregnancy
Kataja, E., Karlsson, L., Huizink, A. C., Tolvanen, M., Parsons, C. E., Nolvi, S., & Karlsson, H. (2017) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.033 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Enhancing memory with stress: Progress, challenges, and opportunities
Goldfarb, E. V. (2018) · Brain and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2018.11.009 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
The effects of COVID-19 continuous traumatic stressors on mental health and cognitive functioning: A case example from Turkey
Kira, I. A., Alpay, E. H., Ayna, Y. E., Shuwiekh, H. A. M., Ashby, J. S., & Türkeli, A. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-01743-2 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Executive Control, Cytokine Reactivity to Social Stress, and Depressive Symptoms: Testing the Social Signal Transduction Theory of Depression
Quinn, M. E., Stanton, C. H., Slavich, G. M., & Joormann, J. (2019) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2019.1641079 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Adverse childhood experiences during childhood and academic attainment at age 7 and 11 years: an electronic birth cohort study
Evans, A., Hardcastle, K., Bandyopadhyay, A., Farewell, D. M., John, A. M., Lyons, R. A., Long, S. J., Bellis, M. A., & Paranjothy, S. (2020) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2020.08.027 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
The social readjustment rating scale: Updated and modernised
Wallace, D. R., Cooper, N. R., Sel, A., & Russo, R. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0295943 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Good to be stressed? Improved response inhibition and error processing after acute stress in young and older men
Dierolf, A., Schoofs, D., Hessas, E., Falkenstein, M., Otto, T., Paul, M., Suchan, B., & Wolf, O. T. (2018) · Neuropsychologia · doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.08.020 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Factors in the Perceived Stress Scale Differentially Associate with Mindfulness Disposition and Executive Function among Early Adolescents
Kechter, A., Black, D. S., Riggs, N. R., Warren, C. M., Ritt‐Olson, A., Chou, C.-P., & Pentz, M. A. (2019) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-018-01313-4 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Chronic stress, executive functioning, and real‐life self‐control: An experience sampling study
Wolff, M., Enge, S., Kräplin, A., Krönke, K., Bühringer, G., Smolka, M. N., & Goschke, T. (2020) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12587 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Feeling rushed? Perceived time pressure impacts executive function and stress.
Sussman, R. F., & Sekuler, R. (2022) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103702 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Time-dependent effects of acute stress on working memory performance: A systematic review and hypothesis
Geissler, C. F., Friehs, M. A., Frings, C., & Domes, G. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105998 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
The impact of stress on sleep quality: a mediation analysis based on longitudinal data
Zhang, J., Xiang, S., Li, X., Tang, Y., & Hu, Q. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1431234 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Naturally occurring circadian rhythm and sleep duration are related to executive functions in early adulthood
Kuula, L., Pesonen, A., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Eriksson, J. G., Andersson, S., Lano, A., Lahti, J. M. T., Dieter Wolke, C., & Räikkönen, K. (2017) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1111/jsr.12581 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Hippocampal µ-opioid receptors on GABAergic neurons mediate stress-induced impairment of memory retrieval
Shi, M., Fan, K.-M., Qiao, Y., Xu, J.-H., Qiu, L., Li, X., Liu, Y., Qian, Z., Wei, C., Han, J., et al. (2019) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-019-0435-z · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Effects of neuromodulation on cognitive and emotional responses to psychosocial stressors in healthy humans
Moses, T. E. H., Gray, E., Mischel, N., & Greenwald, M. K. (2023) · Neurobiology of Stress · doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100515 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The role of genetic variation in the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and mineralocorticoid receptor (NR3C2) in the association between cortisol response and cognition under acute stress
Plieger, T., Felten, A., Splittgerber, H., Duke, É., & Reuter, M. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.10.020 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Acute and past subjective stress influence working memory and related neural substrates
Luettgau, L., Schlagenhauf, F., & Sjoerds, Z. (2018) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.05.036 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over vmPFC modulates interactions between reward and emotion in delay discounting
Manuel, A. L., Murray, N. W. G., & Piguet, O. (2019) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55157-z · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Delayed effects of acute stress on cognitive emotion regulation
Langer, K., Wolf, O. T., & Jentsch, V. L. (2020) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105101 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The impact of acute stress on cognitive functioning: a matter of cognitive demands?
Plieger, T., Felten, A., Diks, E., Tepel, J., Mies, M., & Reuter, M. (2016) · Cognitive Neuropsychiatry · doi:10.1080/13546805.2016.1261014 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Deconstructing the effects of concentration meditation practice on interference control: The roles of controlled attention and inflammatory activity
Shields, G. S., Skwara, A. C., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Dhabhar, F. S., & Saron, C. D. (2020) · Brain Behavior and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.06.034 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
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Contribution of stress and sex hormones to memory encoding
Merz, C. J. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.002 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Stress and executive control: Mechanisms, moderators, and malleability
Tsai, N., Eccles, J. S., & Jaeggi, S. M. (2018) · Brain and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2018.10.004 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Acute stressor effects on cognitive flexibility: mediating role of stressor appraisals and cortisol
Gabrys, R. L., Howell, J. W., Cebulski, S., Anisman, H., & Matheson, K. (2019) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2018.1494152 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Impact of childhood maltreatment and resilience on behavioral and neural patterns of inhibitory control during emotional distraction
Demers, L. A., Hunt, R. H., Cicchetti, D., Cohen‐Gilbert, J. E., Rogosch, F. A., Toth, S. L., & Thomas, K. M. (2021) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579421000055 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Ultra-Short Window Length and Feature Importance Analysis for Cognitive Load Detection from Wearable Sensors
Tervonen, J., Pettersson, K., & Mäntyjärvi, J. (2021) · Electronics · doi:10.3390/electronics10050613 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
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Commentary: The effects of acute stress on core executive functions: A meta-analysis and comparison with cortisol
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Response: Commentary: The effects of acute stress on core executive functions: A meta-analysis and comparison with cortisol
Shields, G. S. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02090 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citation
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Self-citation
Does cortisol influence core executive functions? A meta-analysis of acute cortisol administration effects on working memory, inhibition, and set-shifting
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Self-citation

Authors: Shields, G. S., Sazma, M. A., & Yonelinas, A. P.
Affiliations: University of California, Davis (US)
Corresponding author: Shields, Grant S.
ORCID: Shields, Grant S.
Sazma, Matthew A.
Yonelinas, Andrew P.
Venue: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2016-09
Volume: 68
Pages: 651-668
ISSN: 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.038
PMC: PMC5003767
OpenAlex: W2462050595
Cited by: 818
References: 89
Citations by year: 2026: 146 · 2025: 105 · 2024: 95 · 2023: 92 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 92 · 2020: 77 · 2019: 67 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 1
FWCI: 4.80
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health (MH059352, EY025999)
National Eye Institute (MH059352, EY025999)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Keywords: acute stress, executive function, working memory, cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, interference control, cortisol, sex differences, stress effects on cognition
MeSH terms: Humans, Hydrocortisone, Inhibition, Psychological, Memory, Short-Term, Executive Function

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The effects of acute stress on core executive functions: A meta-analysis and comparison with cortisol

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