The Effect of Acute Stress on the Maturing Brain, 2017

This project aims to increase the understanding of how the brain is affected and works after major psychological stresses. The study investigates whether a trauma like 22 July has affected important cognitive functions and underlying neurophysiological mechanisms among the survivors from Utøya compared to a control-group (similar age, gender, sociodemographic data and political interest). Data includes MR data, neuropsychiatric interviews, registration of circadian rhythms, survey and saliva tests.

How psychologically stressful incidents such as July 22nd affect brain areas, like attention and memory, have not been previously been investigated in adolescents. This knowledge is important in order to offer better treatment and adaptation to both survivors after Utøya and future youths exposed to traumatic events. This project is a collaboration between the University of Bergen, the fMRI group in Bergen, the Research Group on Experimental and Clinical Stress and Sleep (RECSS), Helse Bergen and RVTS Vest. The University of Bergen is responsible for the study. The project also collaborates with the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo who have been conducting a similar study.