Physiological responses to stress may be a potential pathway by which psychological stress relates to cardiovascular disease. Disproportionate (metabolically exaggerated) stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactions may accelerate atherosclerosis or influence risk of greater cardiovascular disease endpoints. The aim of this project is to use an experimental approach to examine if neuromodulation (transcranial infrared laser stimulation) alters stressor-evoked metabolic and cardiovascular responses.
Transcranial infrared laser stimulation is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique. The study will examine the effect of transcranial infrared laser stimulation on cardiovascular and metabolic responses to stress.