Identification of inflammatory and neurocognitive biomarkers and treatment of depression in women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and primary cause of death in women (Benson and Jatoi, 2012). Depression has a high incidence in women with breast cancer, and adversely affects quality of life, prognosis, and mortality (Mohammadinejad et al., 2015). Chemotherapy induced cognitive impairment is also common (Ng et al., 2015). The high comorbidity of depression and breast cancer is not solely explained by psychosocial factors (Sotelo et al., 2014), rather may in part be due to shared underpinning biological mechanisms, such as inflammation (Fagundes et al., 2015; Ham and Moon, 2013). That is, physiological and psychological stress in breast cancer results in an inflammatory response that generates an environment conducive to survival, invasion and malignant expression of cancer, and further vulnerability to cognitive impairment and depression; which in turn activates an inflammatory response (Rosenblat et al, 2014). Disrupting this cycle would have implications for improvement in treatment outcome, quality of life, mood and neuroprotection.

This is an exciting opportunity for the student to conduct cutting-edge, high-impact research in the combined fields of psychology and oncology, and to be involved with an ongoing collaboration with city hospital, Nottingham. The student will be based primarily in the division of psychology, which houses peak encephalographic and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technology, but will also benefit from state-of-the-art facility for immunology and expert supervision in the Van Geest institute. We propose an initial study to investigate biochemical (inflammation) and neurocognitive (brain function) correlates of depression in women with breast cancer.

Based on results from the initial study, the student will identify outcome targets to be used in intervention studies for depression, neurocognition and/or inflammation in women with breast cancer. For example, certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids (Hull, 2013) and curcumin (Gosh et al., 2015; Pathak et al., 2013), have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-depressant properties. Moreover, synergistic anti-carcinogenic effects have been shown, in cell lines (Halder et al., 2015; Fiala et al., 2015); and in mice with induced mammary tumours (Siddiqui et al., 2013), when omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin are used in combination with each other. However, similar effects remain to be shown in humans. Similarly, synergistic effects of curcumin and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation are suggested for depression and neurocognition (Borre et al., 2014). The student would conduct a feasibility study of nutritional therapy for depression in women with breast cancer. We have agreement from industry to provide active (curcumin, omega-3) and placebo supplements for this study and are in negotiation to provide additional support for a more extensive analysis of blood and brain data.

Alternatively, the student could explore the feasibility of psychological (e.g. mindfulness) and/or neurophysiological (neurofeedback, TMS-based brain modulation) therapies for depression in women with breast cancer. A pilot study suggests mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce inflammation and depression in women with breast cancer (Cucarella and Giannini, 2015; Bower et al., 2015). Neurofeedback (Choi et al., 2011) and TMS (Funk and George, 2008; Dunner et al., 2014) aimed at rebalancing frontal cortical asymmetry improves mood, and warrants investigation as a safe intervention for depression in oncological populations.

For informal discussion regarding the project, please contact:
[Email Address Removed]

HOW TO APPLY
For further details please see the web site here:
http://www.ntu.ac.uk/research/graduate_school/studentships/132584.html

Please find attached an Application Form, notes for completion and guidance, and further details about the Schools and the available research projects.

*Applications from non-EU students are welcome, but a successful non-EU candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-EU and UK/EU fees. (Fees for 2015/16 are £12,300 for non-EU students and £4052 for UK/EU students)

ELIGIBILITY & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to apply, you must hold, or expect to obtain by 1st October 2016, a Master’s degree, or a 1stClass/2.1 Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area (including, where appropriate, training in the relevant research methods and, where relevant, laboratory experience).

Please note that these scholarships are only available for new applicants. Existing PhD students are not eligible to apply


ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applications can be accepted from UK/EU and International students. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for candidates who have not undertaken a higher degree at a UK HE institution is IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in all skills).