Efficient neural transmission is crucial for optimal brain function, yet the plastic potential of white matter (WM) has long been overlooked. Growing evidence now shows that modifications to axons and myelin occur not only as a result of long-term learning, but also after short training periods [1]. Motor sequence learning (MSL) has been shown to occur in overlapping learning stages where different neural circuits are involved at each stage [2]. However, most studies investigating short-term ...

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...

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...

This talk will discuss sleep of children as they transition to teens in the context of research that examines associations between brain systems that regulate sleep/wake behavior—the circadian timing system and the sleep homeostatic system. For example, adolescents’ circadian timing becomes later; their sleep “need” does not diminish; their sleep homeostatic system is also modified in a way that can modify sleep timing. A major implication of this work has been in the area of education, sp...

The following posters will be presented:10:45am-10:50amThe Belief in Health Benefits of Digital Play Modulates Physiological Responses to Games Played for Cognitive BenefitsPresented by: Sasha Elbaz10:50am-10:55amEffects of Injury Prevention Strategies on the Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Performance of Fundamental Movement Skills in Children and Adolescents.Presented by: John A. Jimenez-Garcia10:55am-11:00am

Sleep and circadian disturbances are common and represent risk factors for the development of some of the most prevalent and challenging chronic illnesses, such as cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.Circadian rhythms are ubiquitous in all organisms. These rhythms, maintained through a complex molecular transcription-translation feedback loop are present throughout the brain and body, and play a key role in the regulation of nearly all physiological and behavioral processes. S...

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...

Disorders of gait and cognition are central to many age related conditions and diseases. While there are medications available to treat some of these disorders, they have significant side effects and limited effectiveness. A better understanding of the inter-relationship between motor and cognitive function in aging may help guide the development of new therapeutic approaches for conditions such as frailty, mobility disability and dementia. In this talk, I will discuss non-pharmacological ...