Key words: stress vulnerability, worries about memory performance, cognitive aging,  Locus coeruleus

"Stress and Worry during cognitive aging: behavioral and neural correlates"

One of the most reported concerns in the aging population is the experience of cognitive complaints, which is often accompanied by worries and distress about memory performance. Both worry about memory functioning and vulnerability to stress are associated with a higher risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. However, people vary greatly in their vulnerability to stress not everyone experiencing stress or worry develops Alzheimer’s Disease. Therefore within this thesis the relation between stress, worry and memory functioning is further investigated, by including a large group of adults with varying levels of worry about their memory performance. Additionally, the relation between worry and brain functioning during a memory task was investigated as a possible underlying mechanism. The results of this thesis contribute to a more accurate identification of individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

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