Background: To create games that target older adults' interests in engaging in cognitively-boosting activities is a rising trend [1,2]. But, the novelty of the digital me-dium of play, and the implicit expectation of cognitive performance can create stressful experiences for them [3]. We have previously proposed an empirical framework, Affective Game Planning for Health Applications (AGPHA) based on Lazarus's Transactional Theory of Stress Appraisal and Coping [4], to study interactions betwe...

At MON Lab we combine unique biological, physiological and nutritional techniques to investigate and understand the underlying effects of obesity that contribute to weight gain and disease. We want to know what makes an individual with obesity unique. Our focus is in linking how molecules and cells in the blood and tissue interact with the whole body to contribute to the variations in outcomes of treatment and chronic disease prevention. Through this talk, we will discuss some of the uniqu...

The majority of immune development and the ability to ‘tolerate’ food proteins occurs after birth, during the period when most infants’ are consuming human milk. The omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is required for immune function but Canadian have one of the lowest contents of DHA in their breast milk in the world. The content of this fatty acid is highly variable in breast milk and depends primarily on dietary intake. Using information from the ...

The following posters will be presented:11:00am-11:05amThe Potential of Probiotics in Preventing Diet-Induced Mitochondrial DysfunctionPresented by: Antoine St-Amant11:05am-11:10amBody composition asymmetries in university ice hockey players and their implications for lower back pain and lower limb injuryPresented by: Tiziana Resta11:10am-11:15amCellular senescence is similar between regio...

In this talk, we will present our recent developments in the context of Personalized functional Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (fNIRS) investigations, which consist in optimizing placement of fNIRS sources and detectors on the head of the participant in order to maximize fNIRS sensitivity to some targeted brain regions, while allowing accurate local 3D reconstructions of fluctuations of oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin along the cortical surface. Personalized fNIRS investigations could be ...

The following posters will be presented:2:45pm-2:50pmThe Child Focused Injury Risk Screening Tool (ChildFIRST) - Normative Values, Correlations, and Sex Differences for a group of Children aged 8-12Presented by: Matthew B. Miller2:50pm-2:55pmArt-based Rehabilitation Therapy (ART) for Sensorimotor Recovery Post-stroke: A Pilot StudyPresented by: April Christiansen2:55pm-3:00pmWhite matter micros...

Sleep is important for memory consolidation and cognitives performances during the day. There is increasing evidence that brain oscillations during sleep play a central role in such processes. This presentation will review recent work from our lab on the interplay between brain rhythms during sleep, memory consolidation and age-related cognitive decline. We will also discuss recent data showing the impact of sleep disturbances on cognitive functions, as well as the effects o...

Circadian clock genes are widely expressed in mammalian brain. Despite considerable knowledge about the role of these genes in the generation of circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the master circadian clock, insight into brain-region specific function of these genes limited. Studies in our laboratory investigate the role of core clock gene, Bmal1 and Per2 in the control of behaviors governed by the striatum, a forebrain structure critical in in motor control, reward processi...

The following posters will be presented:2:45pm-2:50pmLoneliness and sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal studyPresented by: Jude Nachabe2:50pm-2:55pmAcute Effects of Urolithin A on Mitochondrial Respiration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells of ApoE-/- MicePresented by: Jesse Corbin2:55pm-3:00pmAssociation between physical activity and psychological distress during COVID-19: ...

Regional brain function is determined by its local structure and connectivity. I will present work from our lab that strives to quantify connectivity for applications in healthy development and understanding the impact of disease - focusing on understanding normative cerebellar connectivity and quantifying the impact of stroke. I will also touch on some recent work linking interhemispheric functional connectivity to bimanual motor control in older adults.

The following posters will be presented:10:45am-10:50amMeasurement of Centre of Pressure using the Wii Balance Board in Older Adults with Simulated Visual ImpairmentPresented by: Berkley Peterson10:50am-10:55amDifference in symptom burden and distress among cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic treatmentPresented by: Elizabeth Smyth10:55am-11:00amInfluence of Auditory Load and Beat Perception in Rhythmic A...

Safe mobility is vital to the functional independence of older adults. Executive functions such as working memory updating and dividing attention play an increasingly important role in supporting mobility in old age. This talk describes recent studies that examine the influence of cognitive and sensory challenges to complex motor performance. Featured are recent cognitive training and exercise intervention studies designed to target executive functions to improve mobility and cognition in old...

An innovative workshop aimed to help attendees develop effective presentation skills. Colleen brings a unique actor’s perspective to communicating with an audience. Effective communication starts with self-awareness, authenticity and passion for the message. The key is learning how to convey these elements in a manner that connects and resonates with the audience. This workshop is highly interactive and includes movement, visualization, warm-up exercises, practice presentations and...

Join us to learn about the multidisciplinary research taking place at the PERFORM Centre from Concordia’s top scientists. The student scientific event subcommittee conducted individual interviews with several PERFORM researchers to learn about their research and academic journey. The interviews will be streamed during the event and will be followed by Q&A session with the researchers to answer any question you may have. We are looking forward to having you!