Veronica Anne Mullins

Interests

No activities entered.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Grijalva, C., Mullins, V., Michael, B., Hale, D., Wu, L., Toosizadeh, N., Chilton, F., & Laksari, K. (2023). Neuroimaging, wearable sensors, and blood-based biomarkers reveal hyperacute changes in the brain after sub-concussive impacts. Brain Multiphysics, 5. doi:10.1016/j.brain.2023.100086
  More info

  Impacts in mixed martial arts (MMA) have been studied mainly in regard to the long-term effects of concussions. However, repetitive sub-concussive head impacts at the hyperacute phase (minutes after impact), are not understood. The head experiences rapid acceleration similar to a concussion, but without clinical symptoms. We utilize portable neuroimaging technology – transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) – to estimate the extent of pre- and post-differences following contact and non-contact sparring sessions in nine MMA athletes. In addition, the extent of changes in neurofilament light (NfL) protein biomarker concentrations, and neurocognitive/balance parameters were determined following impacts. Athletes were instrumented with sensor-based mouth guards to record head kinematics. TCD and fNIRS results demonstrated significantly increased blood flow velocity (p = 0.01) as well as prefrontal (p = 0.01) and motor cortex (p = 0.04) oxygenation, only following the contact sparring sessions. This increase after contact was correlated with the cumulative angular acceleration experienced during impacts (p = 0.01). In addition, the NfL biomarker demonstrated positive correlations with angular acceleration (p = 0.03), and maximum principal and fiber strain (p = 0.01). On average athletes experienced 23.9 ± 2.9 g peak linear acceleration, 10.29 ± 1.1 rad/s peak angular velocity, and 1,502.3 ± 532.3 rad/s2 angular acceleration. Balance parameters were significantly increased following contact sparring for medial-lateral (ML) center of mass (COM) sway, and ML ankle angle (p = 0.01), illustrating worsened balance. These combined results reveal significant changes in brain hemodynamics and neurophysiological parameters that occur immediately after sub-concussive impacts and suggest that the physical impact to the head plays an important role in these changes. Statement of significance: : Brain injuries sustained during sport participation have received much attention since it is a common occurrence among participants. Although protective technologies have been developed over the years, the mechanism of injury is still unclear. There is less focus on the repetitive exposure to sub-concussive impacts on the functional integrity of the brain. Sub-concussive impacts are defined as a lesser impact force resulting in acceleration of the head without symptoms of concussion. Diminished neurocognitive performance has been associated with increased sparring exposure in amateur MMA/boxers suggesting that repeated sub-concussive blows may be just as harmful. However, no one has studied the potential effect of repeated sub-concussive head impacts at the hyperacute level defined as within minutes after impact. We apply novel mobile sensing tools such as head impact sensors and portable neuroimaging devices that allow us to examine possible physiological effects taking place within minutes of sub-concussive impacts which are generally transient, and have not been captured before due to limitations with clinical imaging. Based on previous studies, we developed a protocol to test real-world sub-concussive head impact effects on cerebral blood flow and activation patterns and demonstrate that significant changes can be observed immediately after impacts occur, which could lead to improved monitoring and management of injury risk in sport participation.
• Chilton, F., Killgore, W. D., Mullins, V. A., Hernandez, G. D., Raikes, A. C., Wang, Y., Lopez, C. M., & Brinton, R. D. (2022). In‐season docosahexaenoic acid supplementation does not prevent white matter damage during a single American football season: Implications for neurodegeneration prevention. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 18(S11). doi:10.1002/alz.065751
• Mullins, V. A., Graham, S., Cummings, D., Wood, A., Ovando, V., Skulas-Ray, A. C., Polian, D., Wang, Y., Hernandez, G. D., Lopez, C. M., Raikes, A. C., Brinton, R. D., & Chilton, F. H. (2022). Effects of Fish Oil on Biomarkers of Axonal Injury and Inflammation in American Football Players: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 14(10).
  More info

  There are limited studies on neuroprotection from repeated subconcussive head impacts (RSHI) following docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation in contact sports athletes. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group design trial to determine the impact of 26 weeks of DHA+EPA supplementation (n = 12) vs. placebo (high-oleic safflower oil) (n = 17) on serum concentrations of neurofilament light (NfL), a biomarker of axonal injury, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)) in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I American football athletes. DHA+EPA supplementation increased ( < 0.01) plasma DHA and EPA concentrations throughout the treatment period. NfL concentrations increased from baseline to week 26 in both groups (treatment (
• Raikes, A. C., Hernandez, G. D., Mullins, V. A., Wang, Y., Lopez, C., Killgore, W. D., Chilton, F. H., & Brinton, R. D. (2022). Effects of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaoic acid supplementation on white matter integrity after repetitive sub-concussive head impacts during American football: Exploratory neuroimaging findings from a pilot RCT. Frontiers in neurology, 13, 891531.
  More info

  Repetitive sub-concussive head impacts (RSHIs) are common in American football and result in changes to the microstructural integrity of white matter. Both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaoic acid (EPA) supplementation exerted neuroprotective effects against RSHIs in animal models and in a prior study in football players supplemented with DHA alone.
• Mullins, V. A. (2021). Abstract: The effects of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid on biomarkers of sub-concussive injury in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 American football players. The FASEB Journal, 35. doi:https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.02579
  More info

  Participation in American football has been associated with repeated head impacts (RHI) and an increase in risk of concussive injury also called mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Elevated neurofilament light (NfL), a biomarker of axonal injury, has been shown to be a sensitive marker for both mTBI and sub-concussive brain injury in contact sports. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have been reported to reduce inflammation, protecting against nerve damage, stimulating neuronal growth, and promoting recovery following head injury. Here we performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel group design trial to determine the potential impact of DHA/EPA supplementation on serum NfL in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I American football athletes (n=38). Players (both starters and nonstarters) were assigned to either 3.0 g/d DHA/EPA or placebo groups, and blood was sampled at baseline and throughout the football season from no contact conditioning to the last in-season scheduled game. DHA/EPA supplementation markedly increased plasma DHA levels from baseline at four time points (p
• Mullins, V. A., Bresette, W., Johnstone, L., Hallmark, B., & Chilton, F. H. (2020). Genomics in Personalized Nutrition: Can You "Eat for Your Genes"?. Nutrients, 12(10).
  More info

  Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are now quickly and inexpensively acquired, raising the prospect of creating personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual's genetic variability at multiple SNPs. However, relatively little is known about most specific gene-diet interactions, and many molecular and clinical phenotypes of interest (e.g., body mass index [BMI]) involve multiple genes. In this review, we discuss direct to consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) and the current potential for precision nutrition based on an individual's genetic data. We review important issues such as dietary exposure and genetic architecture addressing the concepts of penetrance, pleiotropy, epistasis, polygenicity, and epigenetics. More specifically, we discuss how they complicate using genotypic data to predict phenotypes as well as response to dietary interventions. Then, several examples (including caffeine sensitivity, alcohol dependence, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity/appetite, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's disease, folate metabolism, long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, and vitamin D metabolism) are provided illustrating how genotypic information could be used to inform nutritional recommendations. We conclude by examining ethical considerations and practical applications for using genetic information to inform dietary choices and the future role genetics may play in adopting changes beyond population-wide healthy eating guidelines.
• Houtkooper, L., Mullins, V., Going, S., Harmon Brown, C., & Lohman, T. (2001). Body composition profiles of elite American heptathletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 11(2). doi:10.1123/ijsnem.11.2.162
  More info

  This study characterized body composition profiles of elite American heptathletes and cross-validated skin fold (SKF) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) field method equations for estimation of percent body fat (%Fat) using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the criterion. Weight, height, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), bone mineral density (BMD), and %Fat were measured in 19 heptathletes using standard measurement protocols for DXA, SKFs and BIA. The ages, heights, and weights were respectively 25.5 ± 3.5 years, 175.0 ± 6.6 cm, 67.3 ± 7.1 kg. DXA estimates of mean ± SD values for body composition variables were 57.2 ± 6.1 kg FFM, 10.1 ± 2.6 kg FM, 114 ± 7% BMD for age/racial reference group, and 15 ± 3.0 %Fat. Ranges of bias values for %Fat (DXA minus SKF or BIA) were, respectively, -0.5 to 1.6% and -5.5 to -1.2%. Ranges for standard errors of estimate and total errors were, respectively, SKF 2.4-2.5%, 2.4-2.8% and BIA 3.0%, 5.0-6.5%. Regression analyses of the field methods on DXA were significant (p < .05) for all SKF equations but not BIA equations. This study demonstrates that elite American heptathletes are lean, have high levels of BMD, and that SKF equations provide more accurate estimates of %Fat relative to DXA than estimates from BIA equations.
• Mullins, V., Houtkooper, L., Howell, W., Going, S., & Brown, C. (2001). Nutritional status of U.S. elite female heptathletes during training. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 11(3). doi:10.1123/ijsnem.11.3.299
  More info

  This study describes the body composition, dietary nutrient intake, dietary practices, and biochemical indices of iron status of elite female American heptathletes during training. Four-day diet records and dietary practice questionnaires were obtained from 19 female heptathletes (26 ± 3 years) during the training season. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were obtained at the lowest phase of the training cycle. These athletes had a low body fat (13.8 ± 2.7%) and high fat-free mass to height ratios (33.0 ± 2.0 kg/m). Average nutrient intakes were > 67% of the reference intakes for all nutrients except vitamin E. Most dietary nutrient densities were higher than NHANES III nutrient densities for women 20-29 years old. More than 50% of the athletes took vitamin supplements and monitored their hydration status. Fifteen of the 17 athletes reported a normal menstrual cycle. Markers of biochemical iron status were all within the normal range. On average, these athletes were lean with high levels of fat free mass, adequate nutrient intakes, and normal biochemical indices of iron status. However, individual data reveals considerable variability within this group.
• Mullins, V., & Houtkooper, L. (1997). Nutrition and recovery from endurance exercise. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 19(5). doi:10.1519/1073-6840(1997)019<0007:narfee>2.3.co;2
  More info

  What you eat and drink before, during, and after a hard workout can affect your recovery and future performance. Adequate amount of fluids, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, electrolytes including sodium and potassium, and antioxidants including vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene should be part of the recovery diet. By making smart food and beverage choices, you can recover more quickly for your next workout.