Investigating the link between concussion and dementia
Psychology student Tara MacNab explains how her dissertation is helping to investigate the links between concussion and dementia.
Researchers at Loughborough University are undertaking world-leading health and neuroscience psychology projects, focusing on how exercise can be used to both prevent, and slow down the effects of dementia.
This research not only helps to inform teaching on our undergraduate psychology degrees, but also provides students with the chance to contribute to projects that are tackling the UK’s biggest killer: dementia.
Exercise is absolutely key in battling dementia. It is the only thing you can do all the way through the life span that can help to prevent dementia in later life. It has also been proven to slow progression after dementia diagnosis.
Concussion and depression
Undergraduate students are having a significant impact on concussion research. Concussion is suspected to be a risk factor for dementia.
After choosing to make concussion the topic of her dissertation, Psychology student Tara Macnab, is now being supported to get her research published in a scientific journal.
Through modules such as Neuroscience, I learnt so much about the consequences of damage to specific areas of the brain, that it sparked an interest in me. The opportunity to do a placement at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London also enabled me to put the quantitative and qualitative research skills I have been taught into practice.
These experiences inspired my dissertation, which focused on the effects of concussion on memory and mood. I have previously had concussions and know a few friends who have as well. The subject is also very topical, with new guidelines and rules being implemented across a number of sports.
The project
When working on her dissertation, Tara designed the study, recruited participants, read up on the latest research, conducted a survey and interviews, analysed data and wrote up the results, all with the support of her supervisor – Dr Hogervorst.
My research has found that there was a trend for people who had a concussion to score higher on depression scores. We also found that an older age and higher depression scores predicted self-reported memory problems.
I hope that my findings will raise awareness of concussion and the possible impact it may have… I have now been asked to support my tutor on a study into the effects on cognition from heading in retired professional football players following my graduation. In the longer-term, I would like to become a Clinical Psychologist.
Pride in our graduates
When considering the work being undertaken at Loughborough, Professor Hogervorst believes that students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level are having a huge impact on developing the knowledge required to tackle dementia.
I am so proud of our amazing students and the impact that they have on the research we are undertaking. Their input and support is very important to our outputs. I love the opportunity to help students get their research published and see the effect that this has on their future career aspirations in both research and in clinical settings.
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