Figure 2.

Montreal Imaging Stress Task experimental paradigm. The MIST paradigm was performed according to Pruessner et al (17) and consisted of a block design with two replicate runs. Each run lasted approximately 10 minutes and consisted of a rest, control, and experimental condition. Saliva samples for the examination of circulating free cortisol concentrations were taken upon arrival to the Imaging Research Center, 15 minutes later, immediately (time 0) prior to the first MIST run, and 15, 30, and 60 minutes (peak response) after the start of the first MIST run.