Changes in large-scale neural networks under stress are linked to affective reactivity to stress in real life

Controlled laboratory stress induction procedures are very effective in inducing physiological and subjective stress. However, whether such stress responses are representative for stress reactivity in real life is not clear. Using a combined within-subject functional MRI laboratory stress and ecological momentary assessment stress paradigm, we investigated dynamic shifts in large-scale neural network configurations under stress and how these relate to affective reactivity to stress in real life. Laboratory stress induction resulted in significantly increased cortisol levels, and shifts in task-driven neural activity including increased salience network (SN) activation in an oddball task and decreased default mode network activity in a memory retrieval task. Crucially, individuals showing increased SN reactivity specifically in the early phase of the acute stress response also expressed increased affective reactivity in real life. Our findings provide (correlational) evidence that real-life affective stress reactivity is driven primarily by vigilant attentional reorienting mechanisms associated with SN.