Exercise and the kynurenine pathway to help teens recover mood after concussion
Official title: Neuroprotective Kynurenine Pathway Effects of Exercise on Depression after Adolescent Concussion
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11461240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A teen-focused study will test whether aerobic exercise helps mood after concussion by shifting a specific brain-related pathway.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $415,481 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD123350-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11461240 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents who have sustained a concussion and experience mood or depressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Teens with concussion who do not experience mood symptoms or who cannot participate in exercise may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
Many adolescents have concussion and some develop mood symptoms like depression. This project will look at how exercise affects the kynurenine pathway, which connects inflammation, brain function, and mood, to see if it reduces depressive symptoms after concussion. Researchers will track exercise intensity and volume, measure inflammatory and metabolic markers, and monitor mood outcomes to see if a precision rehab approach is possible. The study aims to connect physical activity with changes in biology and mood in teenagers recovering from concussion.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide personalized exercise plans to lessen depression after concussion in teens.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests exercise can aid recovery and influence related biological pathways, but this specific KP-focused mechanism in adolescents is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howell, David R. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Howell, David R.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.