A01 A02 A03 A04 A05 A06 A07 A09 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A18 A19 A21 F01 F02 INF Ö

A09 – Stresshormoneffekte auf das kontextualisierte Extinktionsgedächtnis

Christian Merz, Valerie Jentsch, Oliver Wolf

Der Einfluss einer Cortisolgabe oder Stressinduktion auf Extinktionsprozesse wird in vier Bereichen getestet. Erstens werden Cortisoleffekte auf Stimulus-basierte Furchtgeneralisierung während der Extinktion mittels Hinbildgebung erforscht. Zweitens werden Effekte einer neuen Reaktivierungsmethode (Präsentation des UCS), kombiniert mit einer Cortisolgabe, auf die Rekonsolidierung und Furchtgeneralisierung getestet. Drittens wird der Einfluss von Stress auf kontextabhängiges Reinstatement untersucht. Viertens werden phasenabhängige Stresseffekte auf die Extinktion von operantem Verhalten mit appetitiven und aversiven Konsequenzen charakterisiert.

Leitfragen des Projekts A09:

  • Beeinflusst Cortisol die Generalisierung der Extinktion und was sind die neuronalen Korrelate?
  • Führt die Reaktivierung mit dem UCS in Kombination mit einer Cortisolgabe zu erhöhter Rekonsolidierung and Stimulusgenralisierung?
  • Moduliert der Kontext den Reinstatement-Effekt und wird dieser Effekt durch Stress potenziert?
  • Sind die Stresseffekte auf die Extinktion von operantem Verhalten ähnlich zu den Effekten der klassischen Konditionierung und sind diese vergleichbar für appetitives und aversives Lernen?
Zurück zur Projektübersicht

Christian Merz

Projektleiter A09

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Valerie Jentsch née Kinner

Projektleiterin A09

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Oliver T. Wolf

Projektleiter A09

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Jaël Caviola

Doktorandin A09

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Lianne Wolsink

Doktorandin A09

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Leander Fester

Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter A09

Ruhr Universität Bochum

10 projektrelevante Publikationen

Hagedorn B, Wolf OT, Merz CJ (2022) Cortisol before extinction generalization alters its neural correlates during retrieval. Psychoneuroendocrinology 136:105607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105607 

Hagedorn B, Wolf OT, Merz CJ (2021) Stimulus-Based Extinction Generalization: Neural Correlates and Modulation by Cortisol. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 24:354–365. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyaa085 

Jentsch VL, Pötzl L, Wolf OT, Merz CJ (2022) Hormonal contraceptive usage influences stress hormone effects on cognition and emotion. Front Neuroendocrinol. 67: 101012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101012 

Jentsch VL, Wolf OT, Merz CJ (2020) Temporal dynamics of conditioned skin conductance and pupillary responses during fear acquisition and extinction. Int J Psychophysiol 147:93–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.11.006

Jentsch VL, Wolf OT, Otto T, Merz CJ (2023) The impact of physical exercise on the consolidation of fear extinction memories. Psychophysiology 60:e14373.https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14373 

Kinner VL, Wolf OT, Merz CJ (2018) Cortisol increases the return of fear by strengthening amygdala signaling in men. Psychoneuroendocrinology 91:79–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.020

Meir Drexler S, Merz CJ, Jentsch VL, Wolf OT (2019) How stress and glucocorticoids timing-dependently affect extinction and relapse. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 98:145–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.12.029

Merz CJ, Wolf OT (2022) How stress hormones shape memories of fear and anxiety in humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 142:104901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104901 

Raeder F, Merz CJ, Tegenthoff M, Dere E, Wolf OT, Margraf J, Schneider S, Zlomuzica A (2023) Do oral contraceptives modulate the effects of stress induction on one-session exposure efficacy and generalization in women? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 240:1075–1089.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-023-06345-3 

Schmidt K, Schlitt F, Wiech K, Merz CJ, Kleine-Borgmann J, Wolf OT, Engler H, Forkmann K, Elsenbruch S, Bingel U (2024) Hydrocortisone Differentially Affects Reinstatement of Pain-related Responses in Patients With Chronic Back Pain and Healthy Volunteers. J Pain 25:1082–1093.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.10.028 

New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to „take better care of themselves“ could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.