Browsing by Author "Brooks, Brian L"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Absence of differences between male and female adolescents with prior sport concussion
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2014-01) Brooks, Brian L; Mrazik, Martin; Barlow, Karen M; McKay, Carly D; Meeuwisse, Willem H; Emery, Carolyn A
    Sex differences following concussion are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether male and female adolescent athletes with prior concussions differ regarding neurocognitive function and symptom reporting.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Investigating the Association Between Prenatal Stress and Neurodevelopment: The Contribution of the Gut Microbiota
    (2022-06) Rojas, Laura; Giesbrecht, Gerald; Arrieta, Marie Claire; Brooks, Brian L
    Prenatal stress is common among pregnant individuals and has been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Emerging evidence has independently linked children’s gut microorganisms (i.e., gut microbiota) to prenatal stress and neurodevelopment. For this reason, the current study wanted to determine if the child’s gut microbiota mediates the relationship between prenatal stress and Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) in children aged 3-4. Prenatal stress was operationalized for 248 women using maternal salivary cortisol samples and mood questionnaires to generate a psychological distress score at each trimester. Children collected fecal samples and completed a standardized neurocognitive assessment to evaluate gut microbiota features and FSIQ, respectively. Results indicate that prenatal stress was associated with the child’s gut alpha diversity (i.e., different bacteria types), bacteria relative abundance, and selective metabolic pathways in a trimester-dependent manner. Also, we found that the child’s gut microbiota features are not associated with FSIQ. Even though prenatal stress was associated with the child’s gut microbiota, the study findings indicate that child’s gut microbiota does not mediate the relationship between prenatal stress and FSIQ in children aged 3-4. Despite previous studies providing strong evidence linking gut microbiota to neurodevelopment, the current study does not provide direct or indirect support for this relationship.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Subjective, but not objective, lingering effects of multiple past concussions in adolescents
    (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2013-09-01) Brooks, Brian L; McKay, Carly D; Mrazik, Martin; Barlow, Karen M; Meeuwisse, Willem H; Emery, Carolyn A
    The existing literature on lingering effects from concussions in children and adolescents is limited and mixed, and there are no clear answers for patients, clinicians, researchers, or policy makers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are lingering effects of past concussions in adolescent athletes. Participants in this study included 643 competitive Bantam and Midget hockey players (most elite 20% by division of play) between 13 and 17 years of age (mean age=15.5, SD=1.2). Concussion history at baseline assessment was retrospectively documented using a pre-season questionnaire (PSQ), which was completed at home by parents and players in advance of baseline testing. Players with English as a second language, self-reported attention or learning disorders, a concussion within 6 months of baseline, or suspected invalid test profiles were excluded from these analyses. Demographically adjusted standard scores for the five composites/domains and raw symptom ratings from the brief Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) computerized battery were analyzed. Adolescent athletes with one or two or more prior concussions did not have significantly worse neurocognitive functioning on ImPACT than did those with no previous concussions. There were significantly more symptoms reported in those with two or more prior concussions than in those with no or one prior concussion. Adolescents with multiple previous concussions had higher levels of baseline symptoms, but there were not group differences in neurocognitive functioning using this brief computerized battery.