Dr. Warren Foster of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at McMaster University, and Dr. Paul Villeneuve of the Department of Health Sciences at Carleton University were successful with their submission to CIHR’s Transitional Operating Grant. Their 5-year research project will study a novel clinical marker of endometriosis. Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent disease of unknown etiology that affects between 10-15% of reproductive age women which can result in significant pain and interference with everyday activities including work and social interactions. Clinically useful markers of endometriosis are lacking and many women are symptomatic for 8-12 years before achieving a definitive diagnosis. Hence, novel clinical markers of endometriosis are urgently needed. The proposed study will investigate whether brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a clinically useful marker of endometriosis that has the potential to offer women with pelvic pain more appropriate, effective, and less costly medical therapies compared to surgery.