Developing an evidence-based approach to diagnose and treat adults with a history of concussion.
Taylor Snowden
This study investigates how Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) impacts brain blood flow and cognitive performance in female athletes. REDs occurs when energy intake is insufficient to meet the demands of training and daily life, and can lead to menstrual dysregulation (MD) due to disrupted sex hormone levels.
Using a 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) task, we will assess cognitive function alongside real-time measures of cerebral blood flow. Participants’ hormones, menstrual cycle patterns, bone density, and eating disorder risk will also be evaluated over a three-month period.
Our goal is to uncover how REDs and menstrual hormone disruption affect brain function and long-term health in active females.
This research is in collaboration with Canadian Sport Institue Pacific.
Researchers
Location
Uvic Concussion Lab (Hut R Rm 112), UVic Medical Sciences Building; West Coast Medical Imaging
Focus
Mild traumatic brain injury; aging; dementia; cognitive function; blood based biomarkers; magnetic resonance imaging
Status
Ongoing
If you are interested in participating, or would like more information about the research, please contact Taylor Snowden (brainlab@uvic.ca).
Study Images
