The role of oral contraceptive use in associations of concussion history with kynurenine pathway metabolites, inflammation, and psychological symptoms in female athletes.

ABSTRACT: Concussion history is linked to increased risk of psychological symptoms, potentially through inflammation-driven activation of the kynurenine pathway (KP). Use of oral contraceptives (OC) is also associated with increased inflammation, reduced protective kynurenic acid (KynA), and, in some cases, increased psychological symptoms. Despite this evidence and the fact that around half of all female collegiate athletes use OCs, existing research in this area does not account for OC use among female athletes. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that OC use moderates the association of number of prior concussions with serum inflammatory markers and KP metabolites and self-reported psychological symptoms. Collegiate female athletes (N = 69; 30 using OC) participating in a larger cross-section

SUBMITTER: Goeckner BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12906144 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature