Cory Coehoorn
Link to WebpageLouisiana State University Shreveport
Project Title
Impact of rapid heat acquisition on neural function, decision-making, stress, and inflammation.
Mentor
Elizabeth Disbrow, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Director of Center for Brain Health
Funding Period
Pilot Project (May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023)
Abstract
The purpose of the proposed study is to examine the impact of rapid heat acquisition (RHA) on neural function, decision-making, stress response, and inflammatory response. RHA is characterized as a rate of core temperature increase during exercise above that which would occur in normothermic conditions. In our previous research [Coehoorn et al., 2020], we found RHA to equate to an increase of 0.04°C/min, while normothermic conditions resulted in 0.02°C/min. Our previous research [Service et al., 2019; Coehoorn et al., 2020] also found that RHA resulted in a decreased neural response (theta power), increased decision-making errors, and increased stress response immediately following exposure to RHA. A key question that remains to be answered is, what is the duration of these RHA effects post-exposure, and what are the effects of multiple exposures? If a bout of RHA leads to perturbations 24 - 48 hours post-exposure, then acute or multiple bouts of RHA may lead to a chronic response.