Project 460942

The meeting will explore how hormonal contraceptives influence girl's and women's brain health. Hormonal contraceptives are used by 850M girls and women worldwide and 16% of people (5-49y) in Canada. Hormonal contraceptives are used to treat conditions that are used "off label" as well as those that are prescribed hormonal contraceptives for birth control. Few studies have examined effects of these hormones on the brain, however recent work suggests they can increase risk for mood disorders during adolescence and alter brain activation patterns. This grant will support a virtual conference focused on this neglected but important topic for girls, women and people with uteri - all reflected in the term women+. The purpose of this conference is to bring together a group of researchers, clinicians, community partners, trainees, and policymakers to share research and develop strategies to spotlight the need for consideration of female-specific factors to advance brain health. Understanding brain health from multiple perspectives, with an equity lens, is critical. Research has shown that women are more likely to be diagnosed with brain disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), depression and anxiety which intersects with ethnicity. How hormonal contraceptive use may influence long-term brain health is not known. Women+ also experience different stress-related symptoms, which are exacerbated by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Stress outcomes affect disease risk but are also influenced by hormonal contraceptives. There are gaps in addressing, diagnosing, and treating women+ brain health conditions. Thus, building capacity for collaborations between diverse disciplines to bridge the knowledge gaps in women+ health research is vital in contributing to the understanding of women+ health issues. This meeting will engage various stakeholders and offer a supportive and interactive environment to engage trainees and the next generation of researchers.