Differences by Sex and Genotype in the Effects of Stress on Executive Functions

The aim of this project is to test the effects of an environmental factor (mild stress) on prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the cognitive functions that depend on PFC (collectively called executive functions \[EFs\]), and to test our predictions concerning how those effects differ by biological factors (hormones and genotype). To test our hypotheses concerning mechanism, the investigators will model the effects of mild stress on EFs pharmacologically. The purpose is to pharmacologically model the effects of mild stress on the cognitive functions (collectively called "executive functions" \[EFs\]) dependent on the frontal lobe. The investigators would also like to investigate how gender differences and genotype mediate the effect of methylphenidate (MPH) on EFs.