Acute stress enhances certain cognitive functions and working memory in the brain.
The claim that acute stress enhances cognitive functions and working memory is refuted by psychological and neuroscientific literature, which consistently demonstrates that stress impairs prefrontal cortex-mediated functions such as working memory and executive control.
The retrieved literature consistently points to the detrimental effects of stress on prefrontal cortex function and working memory. Papers [0], [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], and [10] discuss stress-induced cognitive deficits, impaired working memory, or prefrontal disruptions. None of the provided papers support the idea that acute stress enhances cognitive functions or working memory. Therefore, the balance verdict is REFUTED.
Yue Zhang, Ji‐Tao Li, Han Wang, Weijing Niu, Chen-Chen Zhang, Yanan Zhang, Xiao-Dong Wang, T. Si, Yun-Ai Su. Role of trace amine‑associated receptor 1 in the medial prefrontal cortex in chronic social stress-induced cognitive deficits in mice.. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105571
The study notes that acute stress fails to trigger positive cognitive adaptations, whereas chronic stress leads to significant cognitive deficits linked to prefrontal cortex alterations.
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A. M. Mohamed, Mohamed Z. Habib, Mai A. Ebeid, Sahar M. Abdelraouf, Yasser el Faramawy, Sawsan Aboul-Fotouh, Yosra M. Magdy. Amisulpride alleviates chronic mild stress-induced cognitive deficits: Role of prefrontal cortex microglia and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173411
Experimental findings demonstrate that stress exposure induces impairments in performance during novel object recognition and attentional tasks.
S. A. Algaidi. Chronic stress-induced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex: Structural, functional, and molecular mechanisms from development to aging.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2025.149461
This comprehensive review highlights that chronic and acute stress disrupt prefrontal cortex function, directly resulting in impairments in working memory and decision-making.
Mkp Joyce, S. Yang, K. Morin, A. Duque, J. Arellano, D. Datta, M. Wang, A. Arnsten. β1-adrenoceptor expression on GABAergic interneurons in primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: potential role in stress-induced cognitive dysfunction. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100628
Uncontrollable stress exposure reduces the firing of prefrontal cortex delay cells, leading to impaired working memory performance.
J. Bollinger, Shobha Johnsamuel, Lauren L. Vollmer, Alexander M. Kuhn, Eric S. Wohleb. Stress-induced dysfunction of neurovascular astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex contributes to sex-dependent deficits in cognition and behavior. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-02993-3
Cumulative stress causes prefrontal cortex dysfunction, leading to clear working memory deficits, particularly in males.
Sumit Roy, Yan Fan, M. Mosayebi-Samani, Maren Claus, Fatemeh Yavari, T. Kleinsorge, M. Nitsche. Modulating prefrontal cortex activity to alleviate stress-induced working memory deficits: A transcranial direct current (tDCS) study. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100569
Experimental stress induction directly impairs working memory performance during high-load cognitive tasks.
McGuire M, Bahrani N, Kennedy Q, Liston D. Oculometric Function More Strongly Predicts Working Memory than Stress in Military Officers.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/jemr19030046
Stress impairs cognitive skills and working memory in civilian populations, though trained military personnel exhibit unique coping baselines.
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