Neural and psychophysiological correlates of human performance under stress and high workload.

•Performance of a complex N-back Task under the threat of aversive sounds was examined.•Threat of aversive sounds had no impact on cognitive performance, suggesting coping mechanisms.•Coping between threat and high cognitive load may necessitate greater prefrontal oxygenation.•Coping between threat and high cognitive load induced lower phasic pupil response.•Coping between threat and high cognitive load induced increased heart rate.